Color Converter

Different tools, platforms, and codebases use different color formats, and converting between them by hand is tedious and error-prone.

This color converter takes a color in any supported format — HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, or CMYK — and converts it to all other formats simultaneously with a live color preview.

Web developers work in HEX and RGB. Designers work in HSL for intuitive color adjustments. Print professionals work in CMYK. CSS supports HEX, RGB, and HSL natively. Design tools like Figma and Photoshop use different defaults. When you need to move a color from one context to another, this converter handles the math instantly.

Enter a color value in any format, see the equivalent values in every other format, and copy the one you need. The live preview shows you exactly what the color looks like, eliminating the guesswork that comes with reading color codes without visual feedback.

Color Formats Explained

Each color format represents color using a different model, and each has its strengths for particular use cases.

HEX (Hexadecimal). The most common color format on the web. A HEX color is a six-character string preceded by a hash sign, like #FF5733. The six characters represent three two-digit hexadecimal values for red, green, and blue, each ranging from 00 (0) to FF (255). HEX also supports a shorthand three-character notation where each character is doubled: #F00 is equivalent to #FF0000. An eight-character variant adds alpha transparency: #FF573380 represents 50% opacity.

HEX is widely used because it is compact, easy to copy, and the default format in most CSS examples and design handoffs. However, it is not intuitive for making color adjustments. Looking at #FF5733 does not immediately tell you how to make it slightly lighter or shift the hue.

RGB (Red, Green, Blue). Defines color as three values representing the intensity of red, green, and blue light, each from 0 to 255. The CSS syntax is rgb(255, 87, 51). An RGBA variant adds alpha transparency: rgba(255, 87, 51, 0.5) for 50% opacity.

RGB is the native color model for screens and digital displays. Every pixel on your monitor is produced by mixing red, green, and blue light. RGB values map directly to hardware capabilities, making them the most accurate representation for screen colors.

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness). Defines color using three values: hue (0 to 360 degrees on the color wheel), saturation (0% to 100%), and lightness (0% to 100%). The CSS syntax is hsl(14, 100%, 60%).

HSL is the most intuitive format for color manipulation. Want a darker version of the same color? Reduce the lightness. Want a muted version? Reduce the saturation. Want a complementary color? Add 180 to the hue. These relationships are opaque in HEX and RGB but obvious in HSL. Many CSS design systems and theming approaches use HSL for this reason.

HSV/HSB (Hue, Saturation, Value/Brightness). Similar to HSL but uses brightness instead of lightness. The same hue and saturation at HSV brightness 100% produces a fully saturated, bright color, while HSL lightness 50% produces the most saturated version. HSV is the default model in color pickers in Photoshop, Figma, and many design tools.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black). The subtractive color model used in print. CMYK values represent the percentage of each ink color, from 0% to 100%. Digital-to-CMYK conversion is approximate because CMYK gamut is smaller than RGB gamut. Colors that look vibrant on screen may appear duller in print.

Converting Between HEX and RGB

HEX and RGB are different representations of the same color model. Converting between them is a direct mathematical operation.

HEX to RGB: Split the six-character hex string into three pairs. Convert each pair from hexadecimal to decimal. #FF5733 becomes R: FF = 255, G: 57 = 87, B: 33 = 51, giving rgb(255, 87, 51).

RGB to HEX: Convert each decimal value to two-digit hexadecimal. If the hex value is a single digit, pad with a leading zero. rgb(255, 87, 51) becomes R: FF, G: 57, B: 33, giving #FF5733.

This conversion is lossless. HEX and RGB encode exactly the same information in different notations.

Converting to and from HSL

Converting between RGB and HSL involves more complex math because they use fundamentally different color models.

RGB to HSL: First, normalize the R, G, B values to a 0-1 range by dividing by 255. Find the maximum and minimum values. The lightness is the average of the max and min. The saturation depends on the lightness. The hue is calculated based on which channel has the maximum value and the differences between channels.

HSL to RGB: The reverse process converts the hue angle and saturation/lightness percentages back to RGB values through a multi-step calculation involving intermediate values based on lightness and saturation.

This conversion is generally lossless for the standard 8-bit color space, though minor rounding differences can occur when converting back and forth multiple times.

Color Accessibility Considerations

Color conversion is not just a technical exercise. It has direct implications for web accessibility.

Contrast ratios. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (level AA). Contrast ratios are calculated using relative luminance values derived from RGB. When converting colors between formats, verify that contrast ratios still meet accessibility requirements. Use our CSS Gradient Generator to create accessible gradient combinations.

Color blindness. Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency. When choosing colors, ensure that information is not conveyed by color alone. Use HSL’s hue, saturation, and lightness values to verify that colors are distinguishable even when perceived differently.

Background and foreground pairing. When converting a brand color to web use, check that the converted value works as both a background and foreground color with appropriate contrast against its pairing.

Using Colors in CSS

CSS supports HEX, RGB, and HSL natively, giving developers flexibility in how they specify colors.

CSS Custom Properties (variables) work particularly well with HSL because you can create color systems by varying individual components. Define a base hue as a variable and generate lighter, darker, and desaturated variants by changing only the lightness or saturation values.

The oklch() function in modern CSS provides perceptually uniform color manipulation. Unlike HSL where perceived brightness varies significantly across hues (pure yellow looks much brighter than pure blue at the same lightness), oklch produces consistent perceived lightness across the color wheel. This is increasingly used in advanced design systems.

Named colors in CSS like "coral," "tomato," and "steelblue" map to specific HEX values. There are 147 named colors in CSS. They are convenient for prototyping but rarely match brand specifications exactly.

For converting colors within development workflows, this tool complements our CSS Gradient Generator for creating gradient backgrounds and our JSON Formatter for working with design token configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I convert HEX to RGB?

Split the HEX code into three two-character pairs and convert each from hexadecimal to decimal. For example, #FF5733 becomes R:255, G:87, B:51, or rgb(255, 87, 51). This tool does the conversion instantly.

What is the difference between RGB and HSL?

RGB defines color by red, green, and blue light intensity (0-255 each). HSL defines color by hue (0-360 degrees), saturation (0-100%), and lightness (0-100%). HSL is more intuitive for adjusting colors since you can independently control brightness and saturation.

Can I convert screen colors to print CMYK?

Yes, but the conversion is approximate. RGB screens can display colors outside the CMYK print gamut. Vibrant neon or highly saturated screen colors may appear duller when converted to CMYK. For exact print matching, work with your printer’s color profiles.

What is the difference between HSL and HSV?

Both use hue and saturation, but HSL uses lightness (0% is black, 100% is white, 50% is the pure color) while HSV uses value/brightness (0% is black, 100% is the full color). HSL is native to CSS. HSV is the default in most design tool color pickers.

What does the alpha channel represent?

The alpha channel represents transparency. A value of 1 (or 100%) is fully opaque. A value of 0 is fully transparent. In HEX, alpha is represented as the last two characters (e.g., #FF573380 for 50% opacity). In CSS, use rgba() or hsla() functions.

How do I find a lighter or darker version of a color?

Convert the color to HSL format. To make it lighter, increase the lightness percentage. To make it darker, decrease it. The hue and saturation remain the same, preserving the color identity while changing brightness.

What are CSS named colors?

CSS includes 147 named colors like "coral," "tomato," and "steelblue" that map to specific HEX values. They are convenient for quick prototyping but rarely match specific brand color requirements.

Data accurate as of: March 2026