🔄 Color Format Converters

Convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK color formats. Understand color spaces and find the right format for web, app, and print design projects.

Quick Answer

HEX is shorthand for RGB: each pair of digits maps to red, green, and blue (0–255). Convert HEX to RGB by parsing each pair as a base-16 number.

Example: #FF5733 → R=255, G=87, B=51 → hsl(11°, 100%, 60%) → cmyk(0%, 66%, 80%, 0%)

All Convert Tools

HEX to RGB Converter Convert HEX color codes to RGB values. Free online color converter with live pre... RGB to HEX Converter Convert RGB color values to HEX color codes. Free online color converter.... HEX to HSL Converter Convert HEX color codes to HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) values.... RGB to HSL Converter Convert RGB color values to HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) format.... HEX to CMYK Converter Convert HEX color codes to CMYK values for print design.... CSS Named Colors List Browse all 148 CSS named colors with HEX, RGB, and HSL values. Complete referenc...

Understanding Color Models: HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK

Color in digital design is expressed through mathematical models that describe how to mix light or ink to produce a specific hue. The four most common color models each have distinct strengths depending on whether you are designing for screens, print, or programmatic manipulation.

HEX (hexadecimal) is the most common format in web development. A HEX code like #3B82F6 encodes three bytes — one each for red, green, and blue — as a six-character string. It's compact and easy to copy-paste into CSS, but not intuitive for humans to interpret or adjust by hand.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) expresses color as three integers from 0 to 255. It's the native language of screens and monitors, which emit red, green, and blue light at varying intensities to produce all visible colors. RGB is additive: mixing all three at full intensity (255, 255, 255) produces white.

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is the most human-friendly color model. Hue is expressed as a degree on the color wheel (0° = red, 120° = green, 240° = blue). Saturation measures color intensity from gray (0%) to fully saturated (100%). Lightness ranges from black (0%) to white (100%). HSL makes it trivial to create tints, shades, and harmonious color palettes.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the model used in print. Unlike RGB which mixes light, CMYK mixes ink pigments subtractively. Not all RGB colors can be reproduced in CMYK — particularly vibrant blues and greens — which is why designs should be proofed in CMYK before printing.

Which Color Format Should You Use?

Color Accessibility and Contrast

When converting colors for web use, always verify your text-background color combinations meet WCAG accessibility standards. WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold). Pure black (#000000) on white (#FFFFFF) achieves a ratio of 21:1. Use our contrast checker tool after converting to verify your colors meet accessibility requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between HEX, RGB, and HSL color formats?

HEX (#RRGGBB) is a compact hexadecimal form of RGB, used in web development. RGB expresses color as three 0–255 values for red, green, and blue. HSL represents color by hue (0–360°), saturation (0–100%), and lightness (0–100%), making it much easier to create harmonious color variations programmatically.

When should I use CMYK instead of RGB?

Use CMYK for print design. Printers mix ink using CMYK pigments. Converting from RGB to CMYK may shift colors — some vibrant RGB colors cannot be reproduced in print. Always proof printed designs in CMYK before sending to press.

How do I convert HEX to RGB manually?

Each HEX color is #RRGGBB. Convert each pair to decimal: #FF5733 → R=FF=255, G=57=87, B=33=51 → rgb(255, 87, 51). For shorthand HEX like #F53, expand each digit: #FF5533.

What are CSS named colors and how many are there?

CSS named colors are 148 human-readable color names defined in the CSS Color Level 4 specification, from 'aliceblue' to 'yellowgreen'. They're convenient for prototyping but most production code uses HEX or RGB for precision.

Why does HSL make it easier to adjust colors than RGB?

In RGB, lightening a color requires proportionally increasing all three channels. In HSL, you simply change the Lightness value. To mute a color, decrease Saturation. To find a complementary color, add 180° to Hue. HSL makes color relationships logical and intuitive.