Color converter

In the digital world, every color you see on a screen is represented by a code. But there isn't just one universal code; designers, developers, and printers use several different formats, such as HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK. Our Color Converter is the essential "Rosetta Stone" for digital color. It's a powerful tool that allows you to instantly translate any color value between all the major formats with perfect accuracy.

This is a must-have utility for web designers, developers, graphic artists, and anyone who works with digital color. Stop guessing and ensure your colors are consistent and correct across every platform and medium.

Understanding the Most Common Color Codes

Our tool allows you to convert between the most important color models used in design and development today.

HEX (Hexadecimal Color)

This is the most common format for web design, used in HTML and CSS. A HEX code is a six-digit code preceded by a hash symbol (#). It represents the mix of Red, Green, and Blue light.

• Format: #RRGGBB
• Example: #FFFFFF (White), #FF6347 (Tomato Red), #000000 (Black)
• How it works: It's the hexadecimal representation of the RGB values. Each pair of digits (RR, GG, BB) represents the intensity of that color, from 00 (0) to FF (255).

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

This is the standard additive color model for all digital screens—from your phone to your TV. It defines colors by how much Red, Green, and Blue light is mixed together.

• Format: rgb(red, green, blue)
• Example: rgb(255, 255, 255) (White), rgb(0, 0, 0) (Black)
• How it works: Each value ranges from 0 (no light of that color) to 255 (the maximum intensity). RGBA adds a fourth value, "alpha," for opacity (e.g., rgba(255, 99, 71, 0.5) for a semi-transparent red).

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)

HSL is a more intuitive and human-friendly way to work with color. It represents color based on how we perceive it.

• Hue: The pure color's position on a 360-degree color wheel (e.g., 0 is red, 120 is green, 240 is blue).
• Saturation: The intensity or "purity" of the color, from 0% (grayscale) to 100% (full color).
• Lightness: How light or dark the color is, from 0% (black) to 100% (white), with 50% being the "pure" color.
• Example: hsl(0, 100%, 50%) (Pure Red). HSLA adds an alpha value for opacity.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)

This is the standard color model for print design. Unlike RGB which adds light, CMYK works by subtracting light as ink is applied to paper.

• How it works: It defines colors by the percentage of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black ink that should be mixed to create the final color on a physical surface.

Practical Uses: Who Needs a Color Converter?

Web Designers and Developers 👩‍💻

This is the most common use case. A designer might provide brand colors from a Photoshop file in RGB, but the developer needs the HEX code for the CSS. Or, a developer might have a HEX code and need the HSL values to easily calculate a lighter shade for a button's hover effect (by simply increasing the "Lightness" value). This tool makes that translation instant.

Graphic Designers and Print Professionals 🎨

A graphic designer must bridge the gap between screen and print. They use a color converter to find the closest possible CMYK equivalent for a brand's official RGB or HEX web colors. This is a critical step in ensuring that business cards, brochures, and posters look as close as possible to the on-screen design.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Color Models

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

The most important difference is that RGB is for screens and CMYK is for print. RGB is an "additive" model—you start with black and add red, green, and blue light to create colors. CMYK is a "subtractive" model—you start with white paper and subtract brightness with cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink.

Is the conversion between screen (RGB) and print (CMYK) always perfect?

No. The range of colors that can be displayed with light (the "gamut") is larger than what can be reproduced with ink. This means some very bright, vibrant colors on a screen cannot be perfectly replicated in print. Our converter will provide you with the closest possible CMYK match, but designers should always do a print proof to see the final result.

Why is HSL sometimes easier to work with than RGB?

HSL is more intuitive for humans. If you want to make a color lighter, you just increase the "L" (Lightness) value. If you want to make it less vibrant, you just decrease the "S" (Saturation) value. Achieving the same effects with RGB requires adjusting three different values in a less predictable way.