Color Converter
Convert colors between HEX, RGB, HSL and more
How to use Color Converter
Convert colors between HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV and CMYK formats. Preview colors instantly. Free online color converter tool.
What is a color converter used for?
Colors in digital design exist in multiple formats, each suited to different contexts. Converting between them is a daily task for web designers, front-end developers, and graphic designers working across tools and platforms.
- CSS development: Design tools output colors as HEX (#7B35F5), but CSS also accepts RGB (rgb(123,53,245)) and HSL (hsl(264,91%,58%)). Convert between them to match your preferred CSS syntax.
- Brand consistency: A brand color defined as Pantone 2735 C needs to be expressed as HEX for web, CMYK for print, and RGB for screen — each requires conversion.
- Accessibility: HSL makes it easy to adjust lightness while keeping hue constant — useful for creating accessible color variations with sufficient contrast.
- Design-to-code handoff: Figma exports in HEX; some developers prefer HSL for its intuitive hue/saturation/lightness model. Convert on the fly.
- Print preparation: Screen colors (RGB) must be converted to CMYK for print. RGB has a larger gamut than CMYK — some vivid screen colors cannot be reproduced in print.
Format overview: HEX (#RRGGBB) is concise and universal for web. RGB (0-255 per channel) is the native screen format. HSL (hue 0-360°, saturation 0-100%, lightness 0-100%) is the most human-intuitive. CMYK (0-100% per channel) is for print.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between RGB and RGBA?
RGBA adds an alpha (transparency) channel to RGB: rgba(123,53,245,0.5) is 50% transparent purple. The alpha value ranges from 0 (fully transparent) to 1 (fully opaque). Similarly, HSLA adds alpha to HSL. HEX supports 8-digit notation for alpha: #7B35F580 (where 80 in hex = 50% opacity).
Why do RGB and CMYK represent different color gamuts?
RGB is additive — mixing red, green, and blue light produces white (used in screens). CMYK is subtractive — mixing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink absorbs light to produce colors (used in printing). RGB can represent more vivid colors than CMYK can reproduce in print. Bright neon colors on screen often look duller when printed.
What is HSL and why is it useful?
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is designed to be intuitive. Hue is the color (0°=red, 120°=green, 240°=blue, 360°=red again). Saturation is the intensity (0%=gray, 100%=vivid). Lightness is the brightness (0%=black, 50%=pure color, 100%=white). To make a color lighter or darker, just change the L value.
How do I convert HEX to RGB manually?
Split the 6-digit HEX into three pairs and convert each from base-16 to base-10. #7B35F5: 7B=123 (red), 35=53 (green), F5=245 (blue) → rgb(123,53,245). Online converters do this instantly, but understanding the conversion helps when reading HEX values directly.
What is the difference between color profiles (sRGB, Adobe RGB, Display P3)?
Color profiles define the range of colors a device can display. sRGB is the standard for web and most monitors. Adobe RGB covers about 50% more of the visible spectrum — used in professional photography. Display P3 (used in Apple devices) covers about 25% more than sRGB. Images in Adobe RGB look washed out on sRGB screens if not converted correctly.
Color converter vs color picker vs palette generator
A color converter translates an existing color value between formats. A color picker (browser DevTools, OS color picker) lets you visually select a color and outputs its value. A palette generator creates harmonious color combinations from a base color using color theory rules. A contrast checker verifies if a color combination meets accessibility standards. These tools complement each other — pick a color, convert it to the needed format, check contrast, and generate a palette.