Where to put palette files so Aseprite finds them

Aseprite looks for palette files in a specific folder on your computer. The exact location depends on your operating system. Once you place a palette file in the right folder, it appears in Aseprite's palette menu without any extra steps.

On Windows, navigate to C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Roaming\Aseprite\palettes. On Mac, the folder is ~/Library/Application Support/Aseprite/palettes. On Linux, it's ~/.config/aseprite/palettes. If the palettes folder doesn't exist yet, create it yourself — Aseprite won't do this automatically.

Palette files come in several formats. Aseprite accepts .pal files (the native Aseprite format), .gpl files (GIMP palette format), .aco files (Adobe Photoshop format), and .txt files formatted as hex color codes. Most palettes you find online are in one of these formats.

Key Takeaways

  • Palette files go into your system's Aseprite configuration folder, which varies by operating system but follows a consistent pattern on each one.
  • Aseprite accepts .pal, .gpl, .aco, and hex-formatted .txt files, so you can use palettes from GIMP, Photoshop, or other pixel art tools.
  • After placing a palette file in the correct folder, restart Aseprite or use the refresh button to see it in your palette list.
  • You can organize palettes into subfolders within the palettes directory, and Aseprite will display them as nested categories in the menu.

Finding the AppData folder on Windows

The AppData folder is hidden by default on Windows. To reach it, open File Explorer and click the address bar at the top. Type %appdata% and press Enter — Windows will take you directly to the Roaming folder. From there, look for the Aseprite folder. If you don't see it, you may need to create it yourself.

Alternatively, open File Explorer, go to your user folder (usually labeled with your username), and enable "Show hidden files" in the View menu. Then navigate through AppData > Roaming > Aseprite > palettes. Once you've done this once, you can bookmark the folder for faster access later.

Organizing palettes into subfolders

You don't have to keep all palettes loose in the main palettes folder. Create subfolders inside the palettes directory to organize them by theme, project, or source. For example, you might create folders named "retro", "fantasy", or "skin-tones". Aseprite displays these subfolders as categories in its palette menu.

This organization becomes useful once you accumulate more than a handful of palettes. A folder structure like palettes/retro/commodore64.pal will appear under a "retro" submenu in Aseprite's palette selector, making it faster to find what you need while working.

Converting palettes from other formats

If you have a palette in a format Aseprite doesn't recognize — such as a .json file or a palette exported from a web tool — you may need to convert it first. GIMP can open and save palettes in multiple formats, making it a useful bridge tool. Open your palette in GIMP, then export it as a .gpl or .pal file.

For palettes stored as hex color codes in a spreadsheet or text file, you can manually create a .txt file in the palettes folder with one hex code per line (including the # symbol). Aseprite will read this as a palette. This approach works for small palettes but becomes tedious for large ones.

Reloading palettes after adding new ones

After you place a palette file in the palettes folder, Aseprite doesn't always pick it up immediately. The simplest fix is to close and reopen Aseprite entirely. If you want to avoid restarting, look for a refresh button in the palette panel — it's usually a small circular arrow icon. Clicking it tells Aseprite to rescan the palettes folder.

If a palette still doesn't appear after refreshing, double-check that the file is in the correct folder for your operating system and that the file extension matches one of the supported formats (.pal, .gpl, .aco, or .txt). Typos in folder paths or unsupported file types are the most common reasons a palette won't show up.

Using palettes from online sources

Many pixel artists and designers share palettes online through sites like Lospec, OpenGameArt, and GitHub. Most of these palettes are available in .pal or .gpl format, which Aseprite handles directly. Download the file, place it in your palettes folder, and it's ready to use.

Some online palettes come as images (like a PNG showing the color grid) rather than as palette files. In this case, you'll need to either convert the image to a palette file using a tool like Aseprite's own color picker or find the palette in a supported format from the same source. Always check the download page to see what formats are offered.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use palettes from Photoshop in Aseprite?

Yes. Photoshop palettes are saved as .aco files, which Aseprite reads natively. Download or export the .aco file, place it in your palettes folder, and restart Aseprite. The palette will appear in your palette list just like any other.

What if I put a palette in the wrong folder by mistake?

Aseprite simply won't see it. Move the file to the correct palettes folder for your operating system, then refresh or restart Aseprite. There's no harm in having files in the wrong location — they just won't load.

Can I edit a palette after importing it into Aseprite?

Yes. In Aseprite, right-click the palette name and select "Edit Palette" to open the palette editor. Changes you make are saved back to the .pal file, so they persist the next time you open Aseprite. Be careful not to overwrite palettes you want to keep unchanged.

Do I need to restart Aseprite every time I add a new palette?

Not always. Use the refresh button in the palette panel to reload the folder without closing Aseprite. However, a full restart guarantees the new palette will appear, so restart if the refresh button doesn't work.

What's the difference between .pal and .gpl palette files?

.pal is Aseprite's native format and stores palettes with full precision. .gpl is GIMP's format and works in Aseprite too, though it may handle some color data slightly differently. For most work, either format functions identically in Aseprite. Use whichever format the palette source offers.