30 neon color palettes & how to use neon colors in branding and design

Did you know neon colors can boost brand visibility by up to 70%? Their intense vibrancy makes them impossible to ignore, making them a go-to choice for brands that want to stand out. 

Just look at Spotify’s neon green, Maybelline’s Shiny Superstay Vinyl Ink’s electric pink, and Nike’s Air Max Plus Voltage campaign visuals. Who can deny neon colors create an immediate sense of energy, excitement, and modernity?

But using neon effectively in branding and design is an art. Too much can overwhelm your audience, and poor color pairings can make your designs look unprofessional. So where do we draw the line?

If you are looking for practical ways to use neon colors in logos, websites, marketing materials, and product packaging - you are right at home. 

We’ll cover 30 ready-to-use neon color palettes, explain their best applications, and give you expert tips on using them without overpowering your designs.

Spoiler: You don’t need a separate neon color generator. Kittl editor comes with a built-in color palette selection that you can start using today—so you can create electrifying designs without the extra hassle.

Table of contents

What are neon colors & why do they stand out?

According to Neil Patel, “Colour represents 85 percent of the reason why you pick a given product.” So we know color choices matter—but what makes neon so powerful?

In a general sense of things, neon colors are bold, ultra-bright, high-energy hues that appear to glow, even on digital screens.

But not every bold color qualifies as neon—and that’s something our Creative Director, Anna Ditmer, pointed out when reviewing a set of colors we found off a color picker app:

The psychology behind neon colors

Colors aren’t just a visual choice. To demonstrate, think about how fast-food brands love using red—it’s not just about looking bold. 

Red has been shown to increase heart rates and stimulate appetite, which is why companies like McDonald’s and KFC lean into fiery hues to make customers feel hungry and urgent. 

On the other end of the spectrum, blue is the color of trust and reliability—which is why banks, healthcare brands, and corporate companies often use it. 

Marketing expert Lauren Labrecque points out that blue evokes calmness and stability, making customers feel more at ease and confident in a brand. It’s no accident that tech giants like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter use blue to reinforce credibility and approachability.

But what happens when you take color psychology to the next level with neon hues? Unlike standard shades, neon colors supercharge emotions—intensifying the psychological impact they already have.

• Neon pink is bold, playful, and full of energy. It’s a favorite in beauty and fashion branding, helping brands feel modern and youthful—just look at Glossier’s sleek pink aesthetic.
• Neon green is the go-to color for tech and gaming. It instantly feels futuristic and cutting-edge, making brands like Spotify stand out.
• Neon yellow is impossible to ignore. Its high-energy feel makes it ideal for sports brands, promotions, and attention-grabbing signage.
• Neon orange is adventurous and dynamic, often seen in fitness, entertainment, and outdoor branding.
• Neon blue has a sleek, high-tech appeal, making it a top choice for sci-fi, digital-first brands, and cyberpunk aesthetics—just like MTV’s neon branding in the 90s.

How to use neon color palettes effectively in design

Neon colors are bold, exciting, and impossible to ignore—but that doesn’t mean you should throw them everywhere in a design. 

To strike the perfect balance, you need to consider a few things:

• Pair neon with dark backgrounds – Neons shine brightest against deep, moody colors like black, navy, or charcoal. This high contrast makes the colors stand out without having to strain your eyes.
• Use neon as an accent, not the main event – A little neon goes a long way. If you flood a design with too much brightness, it loses impact. 
• Add gradients & glow effects – Ever feel that harsh neon can sometimes feel too artificial? Chances are your audience thinks the same way. Softening it with gradients, shadows, or outer glows creates a more natural, polished look.
• Balance neon with neutral tones – Pairing neon with whites, grays, or muted colors helps tone down the intensity and creates a sophisticated aesthetic.

Our Creative Director also added her take on how she uses neon in her design:

Where neon colors work best

Now, time to address the graphic designers who work in marketing and branding. If you are wondering where you should put your neons, we have the top three picks for you.

• Logos – Use neon in your logos sparingly, either as an outline, a glow effect, or a small accent within a larger composition. 
• Web design – If you are looking to add a futuristic, high-energy feel to digital spaces, just remember that they need structure. The best uses? Call-to-action buttons, hover effects, and hero sections. 
• Marketing materials – Posters, social media graphics, and packaging can fit the bill. Even if you just add a glowing text effect on a flyer or an electric color splash on a product label, your key details will definitely pop.

30 neon color palettes (and neon color codes) for branding and design

Below, we break down 30 neon color palettes, how to pair them effectively, and where they shine best in branding and design. 

These palettes are carefully curated to fit what neon really is—saturated, electric, and unmissable (special thanks to our Creative Director, Anna Ditmer for handpicking these palettes).

1. “Cyberpunk billboard at midnight” palette

Color codes: #0800FF, #9A00FF, #4DFF00, #FFEC00

Cyberpunk billboard at midnight? Yes, please. This palette screams neon city lights, the kind that glow against a rainy skyline in a sci-fi dystopian future. The deep blues and purples feel sleek and digital, while the neon green and yellow cut through like holographic ads flickering on a skyscraper. 

It’s high-tech, rebellious, and just a little chaotic—in the best way. If you’re designing for gaming, esports, or anything that looks like it belongs in a futuristic anime, you’ve got your colors right here.

2. “Futuristic sports brand” palette

Color codes: #000957, #183DE4, #0F7FFF, #FFEC00

This one’s got speed, energy, and just the right amount of attitude—like something you’d see on a cutting-edge sneaker drop or a high-performance racing suit. 

Deep blues give it that serious, high-tech edge, while the neon yellow slams in with just enough contrast to make everything pop. It’s sharp, modern, and refuses to blend into the background. If your design needs to feel fast, futuristic, and straight out of a next-gen ad campaign, this is the way to go.

3. “Synthwave album cover” palette

Color codes: #16C47F, #FFD65A, #FF9D23, #F93827

Imagine walking into a retro-futuristic arcade, neon lights bouncing off chrome surfaces, and a synthwave beat pulsing in the background. That’s the vibe here—electric cyan and hot magenta clash with a screaming neon yellow and deep, ultraviolet purple to create something that feels straight out of a 1980s sci-fi poster. 

It’s bold, unapologetic, and perfect for designs that don’t play it safe. If your project needs to feel like it belongs in a vaporwave playlist or a high-energy esports stream, this is the palette for you.

4. Dreamy neon amethyst palette

Color codes: #FFF7D1, #8B5DFF, #6A42C2, #563A9C

If a neon-lit dreamscape could be described in color, this is it. Neon purple and deep violet tones create a rich, futuristic depth while soft neon yellow adds a glowing contrast. 

It’s a mix of mystical and modern, perfect for designs that need a surreal, ethereal glow without being overpowering. 

If you can’t picture a design composition with the dreamy palette, gain an inspo by incorporating the color codes as a prompt in an image generator.

5. Neon citrus burst palette

Color codes: #00FF9C, #B6FFA1, #FEFFA7, #FFE700

Imagining an electrified tropical holiday energy? Fresh, zesty, and full of high-energy contrast, blending vibrant neon greens with glowing yellows to create a look that feels bright, lively, and ultra-modern. 

A mix of punchy saturation and soft neon tones, perfect for playful branding, dynamic packaging, and designs that need a fresh, vibrant edge.

6. Hyper green energy palette

Color codes: #D2FF72, #73EC8B, #54C392, #15B392

This palette leans into high-voltage greens with a smooth gradient effect, creating a look that feels both futuristic and organic. Unlike traditional neon palettes that feel artificial, this one has a fresh, energized quality that works well for tech-inspired branding or nature-infused neon aesthetics.

A balance between intense electric greens and cooler, more grounded teals, making it great for cutting-edge UI/UX, eco-tech branding, and sleek product design. Use it when you want a modern, digital-first feel with a hint of natural energy.

7. Neon rebellion palette

Color codes: #640D5F, #E0185A, #F61981, #FCF927

This one looks like it belongs on a Y2K pop album cover or a wild streetwear drop. Deep purples and electric pinks bring all the bold, high-energy attitude, while the neon yellow slices through like a glowstick at a midnight rave. 

It’s loud, vibrant, and not afraid to take up space—perfect for branding that wants to feel rebellious, nostalgic, and ahead of the curve all at once. If you’re going for retro-futuristic fashion vibes or something straight out of an early 2000s club scene, this palette has your back.

8. Hyperpop energy palette

Color codes: #7C00FE, #F9E400, #FFAF00, #F5004F

Like a music festival poster designed at full volume, this palette presents pure neon chaos in the best way possible. The electric purple and hot pink bring hype and vibrancy, while the blazing yellow and orange keep it feeling explosive and energetic. 

It’s the kind of color combo that belongs on merch for a viral pop star, a high-energy streetwear collection, or a cutting-edge ad campaign that refuses to be ignored. If your design needs to scream bold, fun, and absolutely unmissable, this one delivers.

9. Retro-future neon palette

Color codes: #F6F1E9, #FFD93D, #FF8400, #4F200D

Who thought vintage synthwave met a next-gen fashion campaign is possible? Yet it is. Deep, moody navy setting the stage for explosive neon pink, fiery orange, and electric yellow. 

The contrast is sharp, making it perfect for bold, high-impact branding, edgy social media graphics, or anything that needs a rebellious streak. Think 80s arcade meets futuristic streetwear, the kind of colors that turn heads and won’t fade into the background.

10. Glitch mode neon color palette

If The Matrix had a neon reboot, this would be the color scheme. Pure, high-voltage green takes over, shifting from deep digital lime to almost fluorescent yellow-green, like a computer interface running at hyperspeed. 

It’s got that hacker-core, underground rave, energy-drink-ad intensity—perfect for anything that needs to feel fast, futuristic, and just a little bit dangerous. Use it for tech branding, esports graphics, or anything that looks like it belongs in a cyberpunk cityscape.

11. Arcade fever palette

Color codes: #26355D, #D500FF, #FF8F00, #FFF700

Ever scroll through a Y2K-inspired Instagram feed and feel like you’ve been transported to an alternate dimension? That’s the energy this palette brings—deep, moody blue sets the tone, while hyper-saturated purple, blazing orange, and neon yellow throw in a full-color nostalgia trip.

It’s got streetwear drop, music festival promo, and retro-futuristic branding written all over it. If your design needs to feel like a synthwave album cover met a late-night Tokyo cityscape, this is it.

12. Y2K popstar palette

Color codes: #FFFF80, #FFAA80, #FF5580, #FF0080

Remember those early 2000s magazine ads with overly glossy text, chunky platform shoes, and futuristic flip phones? This palette is basically that era in color form. Soft neon yellow and electric orange bring in the playful warmth, while bubblegum pink and hot magenta add that bold, pop-diva energy. 

Perfect for merch, beauty branding, or anything that looks like it belongs on a Bratz doll box or a hyper-pop album cover. If your design doesn’t feel like it should come with its own MySpace profile, you’re doing it wrong.

13. Neon peach fizz neon color palette

Color codes: #C3FF93, #FFDB5C, #FFAF61, #FF70AB

Fresh, fruity, and full of neon energy. A great mix between vibrant citrus tones with electric pink for a look that’s both playful and modern. It’s perfect for branding that needs a lively, youthful edge, whether it’s in fashion, beauty, or bold packaging design.

Ideal for: Trendy lifestyle branding, modern skincare packaging, bold summer campaigns, and neon-infused product design.

14. Cotton candy neon color palette

If early internet aesthetics and a pastel cyberpunk future had a color scheme, this would be it. Soft neon pink and glowing mint give off Dreamcast-era graphics meets Tumblr-core energy, while the airy blues and pale yellows keep it feeling light and futuristic. It’s perfect for branding that wants to be playful but still have an edge—think Gen Z skincare, pastel tech, or hyper-pop festival visuals.

15. Crimson midnight neon color palette

Color codes: #FF204E, #A0153E, #5D0E41, #00224D

Dark, moody, and intense, this palette fuses deep, dramatic hues with a sharp neon red highlight, creating a look that feels both futuristic and cinematic. The contrast between rich purples, deep blues, and electric red makes it ideal for bold branding, high-fashion campaigns, and high-impact digital designs.

16. Neon tropic burst color palette

Color codes: #007F73, #4CCD99, #FFC700, #FFF455

Vibrant yet grounded, this palette blends cool tropical greens with high-energy neon yellows, creating a fresh, sunlit contrast. 

The deep teal adds stability and sophistication, while the neon accents bring a bold, high-impact glow, making it perfect for modern branding with an adventurous edge.

17. Electric orchid neon color palette

Color codes: #6420AA , #FF3EA5, #FF7ED4, #FFB5DA

Looking for something bold and futuristic in the magenta color hex? This palette merges deep neon purples with high-voltage pinks, creating a look that feels both edgy and glamorous. 

The intensity of neon magenta is softened by electric rose, making it a perfect choice for fashion-forward branding and nightlife aesthetics.

18. Midnight neon dream palette

Color codes: #211951, #836FFF, #15F5BA, #F0F3FF

With a rich contrast between moody midnight tones and glowing neons, this palette feels sleek, modern, and effortlessly cool. 

The neon aqua injects an electric edge, while the soft purple and icy white create a dreamlike, futuristic balance, making it perfect for elevated tech branding or stylish digital design.

19. Cyber neon heat palette

Color codes: #000000, #F72798, #F57D1F, #EBF400

Dark and intense, this palette lets neon colors take center stage, with pure black providing the perfect backdrop for high-voltage pink, orange, and yellow. 

The combination feels fast, rebellious, and unmistakably bold, making it ideal for streetwear branding, high-energy marketing, and neon-infused digital artwork.

20. Miami vice reboot palette

Color codes: #FA153F, #16CAD6, #10ABBC, #E4F9FF

Picture a neon-soaked skyline, palm trees silhouetted against a glowing sunset, and a synth-heavy beat pulsing in the background—this palette is pure retro-futurism. The hot red-pink throws in a bold punch, while cool teal tones balance it out, giving off serious ‘80s cop show meets modern vaporwave aesthetics. 

It’s begging to be used in streetwear branding, nightlife promo materials, or neon-drenched digital artwork. If your design doesn’t feel like it belongs on the side of a Lamborghini Testarossa, you’re not pushing it far enough.

21. Retro arcade neon palette

Color codes: #1D2B53, #7E2553, #FF004D, #FAEF5D

This palette channels classic arcade nostalgia with a futuristic neon edge, combining moody blues and purples with high-impact neon red and yellow. 

The contrast between dark tones and glowing brights creates a bold, pixelated aesthetic perfect for retro-futuristic designs.

22. Neon cosmic violet palette

Color codes: #F3F8FF, #E26EE5, #7E30E1, #49108B

Looking for something that gives off dream-like vibe? Soft yet electrifying, this palette blends dreamy purples with an icy neon white glow, creating a look that feels both futuristic and ethereal. 

The neon lavender and deep violet add depth and mystery, while the bright white accent keeps it feeling light and modern.

23. Digital fever dream palette

Color codes: #00001B, #0006FF, #FF1686, #1CEC72

This palette feels like you just booted up a lost ‘90s arcade game on a glitchy CRT monitor at 3 AM. The deep, almost black navy sets the stage for pulsing neon blue, electric pink, and radioactive green, giving it that perfect mix of cyberpunk rebellion and early internet nostalgia. It’s built for futuristic branding, gaming aesthetics, and designs that refuse to be ignored.

24. Ultra violet dream palette

This palette merges deep space purples with glowing neon blues, creating a look that’s both futuristic and surreal. The neon purple adds bold intensity, while the soft electric blue and icy white keep the palette feeling airy and ethereal.

25. Glitch jungle neon color palette

Color codes: #029151, #B4FA64, #F18FFF, #FD5E11

Imagine a futuristic rainforest lit up by neon billboards and holographic wildlife—that’s the vibe here. The deep green and lime feel organic, but throw in hot magenta and fiery orange, and suddenly, it’s giving cyberpunk nature documentary meets festival graphics. 

This palette is made for bold, experimental branding that mixes tech with organic energy. If your design doesn’t look like it belongs on a streetwear drop or an underground electronic album cover, you’re playing it too safe.

26. Cyber pastel rave palette

Color codes: #45FFCA, #FDFF7D, #FF98CA, #D67BFF

This one feels like a Tokyo arcade mixed with a futuristic candy shop—soft but electric, playful but undeniably bold. The glowing aqua and pastel yellow bring in that neon-lit vaporwave energy, while the pink and purple tie it all together with a dreamy, hyper-pop aesthetic.

27. Retro tech noir palette

Color codes: #3D3D39, #FF4C14, #F3EDED, #4BF8B3

There’s something about this combo that feels straight out of a dystopian video game menu or a vintage VHS sci-fi cover. The deep charcoal gray sets a serious, moody tone, but then that fiery orange and neon aqua slash through like glitch effects on an old screen. 

The off-white keeps it from feeling too heavy, giving it just enough breathing room for high-contrast, high-impact design. If you’re aiming for gritty futurism with a retro edge, this palette delivers.

28. Ultraviolet pulse neon color palette

Color codes: #1C3AFF, #4A0077, #AD1CFF, #FF1BC1

Our personal favorite. This palette feels like a nightclub drenched in neon lights, where everything glows under blacklight and the bass shakes the floor. Deep blues and purples create a dark, hypnotic base, while electric magenta and neon pink explode with energy. 

It’s got that perfect mix of grit and glamour—equal parts cyberpunk, rave culture, and futuristic streetwear.

29. Neon afterglow palette

Color codes: #191919, #D5A9FF, #95E9F4, #CEFB26

This palette feels like the last flicker of neon lights after a long night out, where the streets are quiet, but the glow still lingers. The deep charcoal base keeps things sleek and moody, while the soft violet and electric cyan add that hazy, dreamlike energy. 

Then there’s the neon yellow-green—it’s that last pop of color that refuses to fade, keeping everything sharp and unexpected. If your design needs to feel effortlessly cool, futuristic, and just a little surreal, this palette nails it.

30. Cyber neon velocity palette

Color codes: #000000, #0F6292, #16FF00, #FFED00

Dark, bold, and high-contrast, this palette feels like a neon-drenched cityscape or a high-speed gaming interface, blending deep tech blue and black with electrifying green and yellow. 

The neon green adds a sharp, futuristic edge, while the electric yellow enhances visibility and energy, making this perfect for high-intensity, adrenaline-fueled designs.

Common mistakes to avoid when using neon colors

The trick to electrifying your design is knowing when to dial it up and when to hold back. Let’s go over some of the most common mistakes designers make when working with neon and how to fix them.

1. Overuse of neon (makes the design overwhelming)

Neon colors are meant to grab attention, but when everything is neon, nothing stands out. A design overloaded with neon feels chaotic, unreadable, and exhausting to look at.

How to fix it:

• Use neon sparingly—treat it like a highlighter, not the whole page.
• If you want a design to have an edgy, high-energy vibe, limit neon to one or two key elements (such as a logo, call-to-action button, or a focal point).
• Balance neon with neutral tones like charcoal gray, deep navy, or off-white to create contrast and visual relief.

2. Too many neon shades in one design

It’s tempting to mix every neon shade into one design, thinking it will look vibrant and energetic. Instead, it often ends up looking like a neon sign exploded—too many competing elements fighting for attention. 

That’s why before you start designing, it’s best to consult a color chart wheel.

How to fix it:

• Stick to a maximum of two or three neon colors per design.
• If you need variety, use different shades of the same neon family (for example, neon cyan and hyper blue or neon magenta and fluorescent pink) rather than combining neon green, yellow, pink, and orange all at once.
• If multiple neon colors are necessary, structure them with clear visual hierarchy (one dominant color, one accent color, and a neutral base).

3. Low contrast with bright backgrounds (poor readability)

One of the biggest mistakes in neon design is placing neon text on a bright background. The result is blinding colors with zero readability, making the design difficult to engage with.

How to fix it:

• Neon colors pop best against dark backgrounds. If a lighter backdrop is necessary, use muted tones or pastel versions of neon colors to soften the contrast.
• For text, avoid neon-on-neon combinations—stick to high-contrast pairings like neon cyan on deep navy or neon pink on black.
• If neon text must be used on a bright background, add a dark outline, drop shadow, or soft glow to improve readability.

4. Not considering print limitations

Most neon colors seen on screens don’t print the same way. This is because standard printers use CMYK inks, and neon pigments don’t exist in standard print color profiles. 

A glowing, vibrant neon green on a monitor might print as a dull, muddy green in real life.

How to fix it:

• If designing for print, use Pantone fluorescent inks or spot UV printing to maintain neon vibrancy.
• Convert neon colors from RGB to CMYK manually to see how they will look before printing. Some neon colors need slight saturation or brightness adjustments to work in print.
• If a neon effect is needed in print, apply a gradient glow effect around the text or object instead of relying on pure neon color.

What’s next? Mastering neon colors in branding and design

Now that you’ve got a solid grasp on using neon colors effectively, it’s time to play, experiment, and refine. Try out different color combinations, backgrounds, and layouts to see what makes your designs stand out without going overboard.

If you’re working on a branding project, product launch, or digital campaign, think about how neon can reinforce your brand’s personality. 

A well-placed neon highlight—whether it’s in a logo, product packaging, or social media graphic—can add just the right amount of energy, edge, or futuristic appeal without overwhelming the design.

Ready to make something bold using a color palette you could trust? Try Kittl. With built-in color palettes, advanced design tools, and an intuitive editor, you can create your high-energy neon-inspired designs without the hassle. No need for complex software—just open Kittl and start designing.