Guide · 4 min read

Palette File Formats

The right palette format depends on your workflow. GIMP GPL works everywhere. JASC PAL is native to pixel art apps. HEX is for web. JSON preserves OKLCH data. Here's what you need to know.

Format	Extension	Color Data	Best For
GIMP GPL	.gpl	RGB 0–255 + name	Universal pixel art
JASC PAL	.pal	RGB 0–255	PSP, Aseprite, retro tools
HEX List	.txt	6-digit hex	Web, CSS, Lospec, Figma
JSON	.json	HEX + OKLCH + roles	OKLCH Studio, custom code

GIMP Palette (.gpl)

Universal

The most universally supported pixel art palette format. A plain text file with "GIMP Palette" header, followed by RGB values and optional color names.

Supported in: GIMP, Inkscape, Aseprite (import), Krita

GIMP Palette
Name: My Palette
Columns: 4
#
155  89 182 purple
 52 152 219 blue
231  76  60 red

JASC PAL (.pal)

Paint Shop Pro

The native palette format for Paint Shop Pro and many retro-era pixel art tools. Supported by most dedicated pixel art apps.

Supported in: Paint Shop Pro, Aseprite, GraphicsGale, GrafX2

HEX List (.txt)

Web / Dev

One HEX color per line, with or without the # prefix. Easiest format to paste into CSS, JavaScript, or any web tool.

Supported in: Lospec, Coolors, Web code, Figma, CSS

#9b59b6
#3498db
#e74c3c
#34495e

JSON (.json)

OKLCH Native

Our own export format — includes full OKLCH values (L, C, H), color roles, harmony mode, and seed. Preserves all the perceptual data. Use this for round-tripping palettes in the Studio.

Supported in: OKLCH Pixel Palette, Custom apps, JavaScript

{
  "name": "My Palette",
  "harmony": "analogous",
  "colors": [
    { "role": "shadow", "hex": "#1e1b4b",
      "oklch": { "l": 0.18, "c": 0.12, "h": 280 } }
  ]
}

Export in all formats, free

OKLCH Pixel Palette exports GPL, PAL, HEX, JSON, and PNG in one click. No account required.

Open Studio