Color Converter Online
A comprehensive suite of color conversion and manipulation tools for designers and developers.
Color Input
Enter a color in HEX format (e.g., #1e88e5)
Color Values
Click any value to copy to clipboard
Understanding Color Models: Hex, RGB, CMYK, and More
Let 's break down these color models and terms in a way that 's simple and relatable. Imagine we 're creating artwork, both for screens and print. Here 's how these terms play into that.
Hexadecimal (Hex)
Hex is like a “password” for colors on websites.
- It 's a 6-digit code starting with
#
. - Each pair in the code represents Red,Green, and Blue (RGB).
- Example:
#FF0000
is red,#00FF00
is green, and#0000FF
is blue.
- Example:
- Great for web design because browsers understand it.
Example:
Want a yellow button? Use #FFFF00
.
Want to change text to black? Use #000000
.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
RGB is how screens mix light to create colors.
- It uses numbers from 0 to 255 to control red, green, and blue intensity.
rgb(255, 0, 0)
= fully bright red.rgb(0, 255, 0)
= fully bright green.rgb(255, 255, 255)
= white (all light combined).
Think of it like adjusting a flashlight:
- Bright red light = more red.
- Turn up all the lights = white.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)
CMYK is used for printing—think ink on paper.
- It 's a subtractive model, starting with white paper and “subtracting” light using ink.
- Cyan + Magenta + Yellow make colors, but it 's hard to make true black, so black (Key) is added.
- CMYK values are percentages (0-100%).
Example:
For a purple flyer, you might use:
- C: 40%, M: 100%, Y: 0%, K: 0%.
HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value)
HSV is a color model that focuses onhow we see colors.
- Hue: The “type” of color (red, green, blue) measured in degrees on a circle (0°-360°).
- 0° = red, 120° = green, 240° = blue.
- Saturation: How intense or pure the color is (0% = gray, 100% = vivid).
- Value: Brightness, from dark (0%) to full bright (100%).
Example:
A soft pink might be:
- Hue = 0° (red), Saturation = 30%, Value = 90%.
Shades and Tints
- Shade: Adding black to a color to make it darker.
- Example: Navy is a shade of blue.
- Tint: Adding white to make it lighter.
- Example: Baby blue is a tint of blue.
Think of it like adjusting the brightness and mood of a painting.
Invert Color
- Flips a color to its opposite on the color wheel.
- Example: Black (#000000) becomesWhite (#FFFFFF).
- Red (#FF0000) becomes Cyan(#00FFFF).
Useful for creating contrast or “negative” effects.
Desaturate
- Reduces the intensity of a color, moving it closer to gray.
- Think of it as turning down the color 's “volume.”
- Example: Bright red becomes dull red, then gray.
Why Use It?
To create muted, pastel, or vintage tones.
RGB vs. CMYK (An Analogy)
- RGB is like painting with light. It starts with black (a blank screen) andadds light to create colors.
- CMYK is like painting with ink. It starts with white (paper) andadds ink to subtract light.
Let 's Convert!
Hex to RGB:
Hex#FF5733
→ RGB(255, 87, 51)
.RGB to CMYK:
RGB(255, 87, 51)
→ CMYK(0%, 66%, 80%, 0%)
.Degrees to HSV Hue:
A reddish-orange hue is about 20° in HSV.