Abstract: A system and method for sorting and selecting colors from a palette of colors are provided. A color identification standard representing the color spectrum is selected. The color identification standard comprises color groups from which color harmonies can be created. The colors are sorted by a first attribute of the color. For each first attribute level, the colors are further sorted to correspond to the color groups in the selected color identification standard. Each color is further sorted within its color group into a gradient of colors based on the amount of color from adjacent color groups that is present in each color and the number of colors in the color group. In a color palette so sorted, for each color corresponding available harmonious colors are generally sorted to about the same relative location within their respective color groups. The colors are further sorted by a second attribute of the color.