RGB, HEX, HSL & CMYK Color Converter
Convert RGB to HEX, or paste any color format and get every other format back instantly. All conversion happens in your browser.
CMYK is a standard on-screen approximation (K = 1 − max(R,G,B), then C/M/Y derived from K), not a color-managed print profile. Confirm against your printer's actual profile before a print run.
How to use this converter
- Type or paste a color into the input field — HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK are all auto-detected, no format selector needed.
- Or click the color swatch picker to choose visually.
- All four output formats update live as you type. Click the copy icon next to any row to copy just that value.
- If you paste an
rgba()value with transparency, an RGBA row appears automatically.
Why convert between color formats
Different tools expect different formats: CSS and design software commonly use HEX or RGB, some design tools work in HSL because it maps more intuitively to "lighter/darker" and "more/less saturated," and print workflows use CMYK. Converting between them lets you move a single color across a whole workflow without guessing at the translation. For the fuller picture of when to reach for each format and why, see HEX vs RGB vs HSL vs CMYK: When to Use Each Format.
Worked example
The same color, #00FFFF, in every format:
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't my CMYK values match what I see in Photoshop or my print vendor's proof?
This converter uses the naive on-screen CMYK approximation, which doesn't account for your specific printer's ink profile, paper stock, or color management settings. Treat it as a starting estimate, not a final print value.
What's the difference between RGB and HSL?
RGB describes a color by its red, green, and blue light components. HSL describes the same color by hue (position on the color wheel), saturation (intensity), and lightness — often more intuitive when you want to make a color "lighter" or "less saturated" without changing its hue.
Can I convert a color with transparency (RGBA)?
Yes. Paste an rgba() value, an 8-digit hex code with an alpha channel (#RRGGBBAA), or a 4-digit hex shorthand (#RGBA), and the RGBA row will appear showing that transparency alongside the other formats.
Does this accept RGB percentage values?
Yes. Both integer syntax (rgb(255, 87, 51)) and percentage syntax (rgb(100%, 34%, 20%)) are accepted, matching the CSS Color 4 specification.
Do I need the # symbol in a hex code?
No. This converter accepts hex codes with or without the leading #, and in both 3-digit and 6-digit form.
Sources
- RGB, HEX, and HSL conversion formulas — standard CSS Color Module algorithmsSee the CSS Color Module Level 4 specification.
- RGB to CMYK approximation formula (K = 1 − max(R′,G′,B′))A widely-used on-screen approximation with no single canonical primary source — not a color-managed print conversion, as disclaimed above.