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Color Converter

Convert colors between HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK formats. Edit any value and watch all other formats update instantly. Pick a color visually or paste values directly—perfect for translating brand colors across digital and print workflows.

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HEX
RGB
HSL
CMYK

How It Works

  1. 1. Choose a color using the picker or enter values in any format you have—HEX code from a design file, RGB from CSS, HSL from a color tool, or CMYK from print specifications.
  2. 2. The converter calculates equivalent values across all color formats and displays them simultaneously so you can copy the format you need.
  3. 3. Edit any format's values directly and all other formats recalculate in real time, making it easy to fine-tune colors while maintaining accuracy across systems.

Color Formats Explained

HEX — Six-digit hexadecimal codes (like #FF5733) are the standard for web design and CSS. The first two digits represent red, the next two green, and the last two blue. HEX is compact and universally supported in design tools and browsers.

RGB — Red, Green, Blue values from 0-255 describe how screens create color by mixing light. RGB is the native color model for digital displays and the most common format in CSS, design software, and image editing. Use RGB for anything viewed on screens.

HSL — Hue (0-360°), Saturation (0-100%), Lightness (0-100%) represents color in a way that matches human perception. HSL makes it intuitive to adjust brightness or saturation while keeping the same base color. Designers prefer HSL when creating color variations or accessible palettes.

CMYK — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black) percentages define how printers create color by mixing ink. Unlike RGB which adds light, CMYK subtracts it. Use CMYK values when preparing files for professional printing, though note that screen-to-print conversion is approximate without color profiles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between RGB and CMYK?
RGB is additive color for screens (mixing red, green, and blue light) while CMYK is subtractive color for print (mixing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink). RGB produces brighter colors because it emits light, while CMYK has a smaller color gamut limited by ink and paper. Always use RGB for digital work and CMYK for print, and expect slight color shifts when converting between them.
When should I use HSL instead of HEX?
Use HSL when you need to create color variations systematically—lightening, darkening, or desaturating colors while maintaining the same hue. HSL is more intuitive for building accessible color palettes or generating hover states and UI variations. Use HEX for simplicity when you just need to specify an exact color without modification.
Why do colors look different on screen vs print?
Screens emit light using RGB while printers reflect light using CMYK inks, creating fundamentally different color ranges. Bright RGB colors (particularly vibrant blues and greens) often cannot be reproduced accurately with CMYK inks. Additionally, screen brightness, calibration, paper stock, and ink quality all affect how colors appear. For critical color matching, use Pantone spot colors or request printed proofs.
Can I convert Pantone colors with this tool?
No, this tool does not convert Pantone colors. It converts between RGB, HEX, HSL, and CMYK only. Pantone colors are proprietary ink formulas that don't have perfect digital equivalents. For Pantone conversions, use our dedicated Pantone to HEX tool or HEX to Pantone tool. Converting Pantone to process colors (CMYK) or RGB always involves some approximation since spot inks use different chemistry than screen or print color models.