Color Converter
Convert between different color formats: RGB, HEX, HSL, and CMYK with real-time preview.
Color Converter Tool
Color Harmony
About Color Formats
Different color models and formats are used in various contexts such as web design, print media, digital art, and more. Each format has its own advantages and specific use cases.
Common Color Formats:
- HEX (Hexadecimal): Used in web design and HTML/CSS, represented by a hash symbol followed by six hexadecimal digits (e.g., #3498DB).
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue): Additive color model used for digital displays, with values from 0-255 for each color channel (e.g., rgb(52, 152, 219)).
- HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness): More intuitive model for adjusting colors, with hue (0-360°), saturation (0-100%), and lightness (0-100%).
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black): Subtractive color model used in printing, with percentage values for each color channel (0-100%).
When to Use Each Format:
- HEX: Most common for web development, supported in all browsers and design tools.
- RGB: Good for digital media and when you need to manipulate individual color channels.
- RGBA: Same as RGB but with added alpha channel for transparency.
- HSL: Makes it easier to create variations like lighter/darker versions or complementary colors.
- HSLA: Same as HSL but with added alpha channel for transparency.
- CMYK: Essential for print design to ensure accurate color reproduction.
Color Harmony:
Color harmony refers to the theory of combining colors in a way that is pleasing to the eye. Some common color harmony schemes include:
- Complementary: Colors opposite each other on the color wheel, creating high contrast.
- Analogous: Colors adjacent to each other on the color wheel, creating a harmonious feel.
- Triadic: Three colors evenly spaced around the color wheel, offering vibrant contrast while maintaining harmony.
- Monochromatic: Different tints, tones, and shades of a single color.
- Split-Complementary: A color plus the two colors adjacent to its complement.
About Color Converter
What does this tool do?
Our Color Converter provides real-time conversion between RGB, HEX, HSL, and CMYK color formats with live preview, color harmony generation, and CSS-ready output. It includes color name detection, opacity controls, and interactive color picking for comprehensive color workflow support.
Why is this useful?
Different design contexts require different color formats - web development uses HEX and RGB, print design needs CMYK, and color theory applications benefit from HSL. Our tool bridges these workflows, enabling seamless color translation across all design disciplines.
Who uses this tool?
- Web developers - Convert colors between CSS formats and implement design specifications
- Graphic designers - Translate colors between digital and print workflows
- UI/UX designers - Create color palettes and ensure accessibility compliance
- Digital artists - Work with precise color values across different software
- Brand managers - Maintain color consistency across different media formats
How to convert colors
- Use the color picker to select a color visually or enter HEX values directly
- View automatic conversions to RGB, HSL, CMYK, and CSS formats
- Adjust opacity using the slider for RGBA/HSLA transparency effects
- Explore color harmony suggestions: complementary, analogous, and triadic
- Copy any format using the built-in copy buttons
- Click harmony colors to make them your primary color selection
Example
Selecting a blue color #3498DB automatically shows RGB (52, 152, 219), HSL (204°, 70%, 53%), CMYK (76%, 31%, 0%, 14%), and generates complementary orange #E74C3C for high-contrast design pairs.
Understanding color formats
- HEX (#RRGGBB)
- Hexadecimal format using 0-9 and A-F. Most common for web development and design tools. Easy to copy and share.
- RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
- Additive color model using 0-255 values per channel. Perfect for digital screens and programmatic color manipulation.
- HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
- Intuitive color model matching human perception. Ideal for creating color variations and accessibility adjustments.
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black)
- Subtractive color model for print production. Essential for ensuring accurate print color reproduction.
- CSS Formats
- Ready-to-use CSS values including rgba() and hsla() with opacity support for modern web development.
Best formats for different uses
- Web development: HEX for solid colors, RGBA for transparency
- Print design: CMYK for accurate color reproduction
- Color theory: HSL for creating harmonious palettes
- Digital art: RGB for screen-accurate color mixing
Color format limitations
- RGB to CMYK: May show color shifts due to different color gamuts
- Monitor differences: Colors appear different on various displays
- Print variations: Paper and ink affect final color appearance
- Accessibility: Consider color-blind users when choosing color pairs
Color theory principles
- Complementary colors create high contrast but can be jarring in large areas
- Analogous colors create harmony but may lack sufficient contrast for accessibility
- Triadic colors offer vibrant palettes while maintaining visual balance
- Always test color combinations for readability and accessibility compliance
Common use cases
Brand Color Implementation
Convert brand colors to appropriate formats for web (HEX/RGB), print (CMYK), and design software, ensuring consistency across all brand touchpoints.
CSS Development
Generate CSS-ready color values with opacity support, create hover states with HSL adjustments, and implement design system color tokens.
Color Palette Creation
Use color harmony tools to generate professional color schemes, test contrast ratios for accessibility, and explore color variations.
Design Handoff
Provide developers with precise color specifications in multiple formats, ensuring accurate implementation of design mockups.
Color harmony explained
The tool automatically generates complementary (opposite on color wheel), analogous (adjacent on color wheel), and triadic (120° apart) color suggestions to help create balanced, professional color schemes.
Accessibility considerations
When using the generated colors, always test contrast ratios for WCAG compliance. Use tools like WebAIM's contrast checker to ensure text readability across different color combinations.