Menu bar + global hotkey
Pick any screen pixel from the menu bar or the default shortcut Control + Option + C. The hotkey is customizable in Settings.
The Mac pixel picker for developers
Pick a pixel. Ship a color system.
Use one global hotkey to inspect any screen pixel, copy production-ready HEX, OKLCH or SwiftUI code, and turn it into a complete Tailwind 50–950 scale. Private and local-first.
From screen pixel to production code.
Pick and copy in seconds, then build the color system only when you need it.
What PixelSpy does
Features from the shipping Mac app and its App Store description.
Pixel loupe
Inspect the exact pixel before you copy. Temporary preview pixels around the pointer are discarded when the picker closes.
Formats for production
HEX, CSS RGB, HSL, OKLCH, Lab, SwiftUI, UIColor, NSColor, and Tailwind tokens. Default copy format is #RRGGBB.
50–950 color scales
Generate a full shade range from a picked color, preview the values, and save with explicit confirmation.
Local color workspace
Projects, semantic roles, names, token names, tags, favorites, search, and notes. History stays on the Mac.
Contrast and checks
WCAG contrast for foreground/background pairs, plus project checks for exact duplicates and token conflicts.
Export what you picked
JSON, CSS custom properties, SwiftUI code, Tailwind config, or a PixelSpy archive with merge and replace modes.
Private by design
No account and no cloud workspace. Screen Recording permission is used only to read the pixel you choose. Screen content is not uploaded.
Free to download. Optional Pro unlock.
The app is free on the Mac App Store. Pro is a one-time non-consumable unlock — not a subscription.
Free
- Menu bar app and global hotkey
- Loupe and pixel sampling
- HEX, RGB, and HSL copy
- Display P3 aware picking
- Unlimited local history, search, favorites, and notes
- Customizable hotkey, login item, and copy behavior
PixelSpy Pro — one-time unlock
- 50–950 color scale generation
- OKLCH, SwiftUI, UIColor, NSColor, Tailwind tokens, and Lab
- WCAG contrast checks
- Projects, token names, semantic roles, and tags
- Export to JSON, CSS, SwiftUI, Tailwind, or PixelSpy archive
- Duplicate and token-conflict checks
The in-app unlock is listed as US$9.99. Local price and tax are shown on Apple’s purchase sheet. Restore Purchases is available in the app.
FAQ
Why does PixelSpy need Screen Recording permission?
macOS requires Screen Recording permission for any app that reads screen pixels. PixelSpy uses it only to read the pixel you choose. It does not record video or audio and does not upload screen content for color features.
Where is my data stored?
Color history, projects, notes, tags, and preferences stay on your Mac. There is no PixelSpy account and no cloud sync. Import and export only use files you select in the macOS file picker.
Which macOS versions are supported?
PixelSpy requires macOS 13 (Ventura) or later.
Which languages are available?
The App Store listing includes English and Chinese. Simplified Chinese is shown when the system language is Simplified Chinese.
Does PixelSpy use crash reporting?
PixelSpy may use Firebase Crashlytics for crash reports (stability only, not advertising). See the privacy policy for what that report can include.
How do refunds work?
Purchases are processed by Apple. Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com. We cannot issue App Store refunds ourselves.
Pick your next color on the Mac
Free to download on the Mac App Store. Optional one-time Pro unlock. No subscriptions and no account.