Color Converter

Free online tool. All processing is client-side. No signup needed.

How to Use the Color Converter

1. Enter your input values above
2. Results update automatically
3. Copy or download the output

What is a Color Converter?

A Color Converter translates color values between all major formats used in web design, graphic design, and programming: HEX (#FF5733), RGB (rgb(255, 87, 51)), HSL (hsl(10, 100%, 60%)), HSV/HSB, CMYK (for print: 0%, 66%, 80%, 0%), and CSS color names. Designers and developers constantly convert between these formats — a brand guide might specify Pantone or CMYK, a web app needs HEX or RGB, and CSS animations might use HSL for smooth transitions. This tool handles all conversions in one place with a real-time color preview.

How Does It Work?

Enter a color in any supported format. The converter parses it into an internal RGB representation, then computes all other formats. The color preview updates in real time. For HEX to RGB: parse the 3 or 6 hex digits into R, G, B decimal values (0-255). For RGB to HSL: find max and min of R,G,B; Lightness = (max+min)/2; Saturation depends on whether L > 0.5. CMYK values are computed as percentages of ink coverage. The tool also shows WCAG contrast ratios against white and black backgrounds.

Formula

RGB ↔ HEX:\nHEX = # + R.toString(16).padStart(2,'0') + G... + B...\nR = parseInt(HEX.slice(1,3), 16)\n\nRGB → HSL:\nR′ = R/255, G′ = G/255, B′ = B/255\nMax = max(R′,G′,B′), Min = min(R′,G′,B′), Δ = Max−Min\n\nL (Lightness) = (Max + Min) / 2\nS (Saturation) = Δ / (1 − |2L − 1|) if Δ ≠ 0, else 0\nH (Hue) = various formulas depending on which channel is Max\n\nRGB → CMYK:\nK = 1 − max(R′,G′,B′)\nC = (1 − R′ − K) / (1 − K)\nM = (1 − G′ − K) / (1 − K)\nY = (1 − B′ − K) / (1 − K)

Who Uses This Tool?

• Web developers converting design specs (HEX) to CSS (RGB/HSL)
• Print designers converting screen colors (RGB) to print-appropriate (CMYK)
• UI designers finding accessible color combinations using HSL manipulation
• Brand designers ensuring color consistency across web, print, and mobile
• CSS animators using HSL for smooth hue rotations and transitions

Pro Tips

• HSL is the most intuitive color format for CSS: increase lightness for tints, decrease for shades, shift hue for color variations. It's much easier than tweaking RGB values
• RGB → CMYK conversion is inherently lossy — the brightest screen colors can't be reproduced in print. Our converter shows a 'print safe' warning for out-of-gamut colors
• WCAG contrast ratio guidelines: 4.5:1 minimum for normal text, 3:1 for large text (18px+ bold), 7:1 for enhanced accessibility. Our converter displays these ratios
• CSS now supports wide-gamut colors: display-p3 and oklch() offer richer colors than sRGB. Use our 'Advanced' tab for these newer formats

Frequently Asked Questions about Color Converter

Why do my colors look different when printed?

Screens use RGB (additive light), printers use CMYK (subtractive ink). The RGB color space is larger — bright neon colors and deep blues exist in RGB but can't be printed with CMYK inks. Always convert and adjust for print use.

Should I use HEX, RGB, or HSL in CSS?

HEX (#ff6600) is most common and compact. RGB is useful when you need alpha transparency: rgba(255,102,0,0.5). HSL is best for dynamic color manipulation: hsl(24,100%,50%) — you can intuitively adjust hue, saturation, or lightness.

Free online Color Converter — no signup, 100% client-side processing. All data stays in your browser.