Electrochromic materials based on conducting polymers with pendant chromophores as well as their electrochromic properties are described. The conducting polymers described aye polypyrrole, polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), poly (cyclopentadithiophene), and poly (1,4-bis [2- (3,4-ethylenedioxy) thienyl] benzene). The chromophores described are viologen and perylenetetra-carboxylic diimide. When the wavelength ranges of absorption of the conducting polymer and the chromophore aye not overlapping, multiple electrochromism was achieved. When the wavelength ranges are largely overlapping, higher contrast was achieved. An easy method for prediction of the film thickness for maximum contrast of a given electrochromic material is also described.