Color Converter
Convert colors between HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK formats instantly. Free online color converter with live preview and copy-to-clipboard.
Last updated: June 1, 2026
What is Color Converter?
A color converter translates color values between different color notation systems used in web design, graphic design, and print production. Web developers work with HEX codes (#FF5733) and RGB values (rgb(255, 87, 51)) in CSS. Designers often think in HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) because it maps more intuitively to how humans perceive color relationships. Print professionals use CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) for physical printing. This tool lets you input a color in any format and instantly see its equivalent in all other formats, with a live preview swatch showing the exact color.
How It Works
Enter a color value in any supported format — HEX, RGB, RGBA, HSL, HSLA, or CMYK. The tool parses your input, converts it to an intermediate RGB representation, then calculates the equivalent values in all other color spaces using standard conversion formulas. HEX to RGB is a direct base-16 to base-10 conversion. RGB to HSL involves calculating hue from the max/min channel values, saturation from the range, and lightness from the average. CMYK conversion uses the standard formula but note it's approximate since CMYK is device-dependent. The live color swatch updates instantly so you can visually verify the color matches your intent.
Examples
#FF5733
rgb(255, 87, 51)
rgb(66, 135, 245)
hsl(218, 90%, 61%)
Tips & Best Practices
For dark mode, don't just invert colors. Reduce saturation and adjust lightness in HSL for better readability.
WCAG requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Check the lightness difference in HSL.
CSS now supports oklch() which provides perceptually uniform color manipulation — better than HSL for creating color scales.
Quick Reference
| Color | HEX | RGB | HSL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #FF0000 | rgb(255, 0, 0) | hsl(0, 100%, 50%) |
| Green | #00FF00 | rgb(0, 255, 0) | hsl(120, 100%, 50%) |
| Blue | #0000FF | rgb(0, 0, 255) | hsl(240, 100%, 50%) |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) | hsl(0, 0%, 100%) |
| Black | #000000 | rgb(0, 0, 0) | hsl(0, 0%, 0%) |
Common Use Cases
- •Converting Figma/Sketch design colors (HEX) to CSS RGB or HSL values for implementation
- •Translating brand colors from print CMYK specifications to web-safe HEX values
- •Creating color variations by adjusting HSL lightness values while maintaining hue and saturation
- •Converting color codes from one CSS format to another for code consistency across stylesheets
- •Checking color accessibility by examining the lightness component in HSL format
- •Preparing color palettes for both web (RGB/HEX) and print (CMYK) deliverables from a single source
Frequently Asked Questions
What color formats are supported?▼
We support HEX (3, 6, and 8-digit), RGB, RGBA (with alpha/opacity), HSL, HSLA, and CMYK color formats with instant bidirectional conversion between all of them.
Can I pick a color visually?▼
Yes, use the color picker to visually select a color, then copy its value in any supported format. The picker shows the selected color alongside all format conversions.
How accurate is the CMYK conversion?▼
CMYK conversion is approximate since CMYK is device-dependent — the same CMYK values produce slightly different colors on different printers and papers. The values provide a close estimate suitable for web-to-print proofing workflows.
What's the difference between RGB and HEX?▼
They represent the same color space — HEX is just RGB values written in hexadecimal (base-16). #FF0000 equals rgb(255, 0, 0). HEX is more compact, RGB is more readable when doing calculations.
Why use HSL over RGB?▼
HSL separates hue (the color), saturation (intensity), and lightness (brightness). This makes it intuitive to create color variations — you can darken a color by reducing L, desaturate by reducing S, or shift the hue by changing H, without affecting other properties.
Does it support transparency/alpha?▼
Yes, both RGBA and HSLA formats with alpha channels are supported. The alpha value (0-1) controls opacity, where 0 is fully transparent and 1 is fully opaque.
Learn More
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