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What is Color Conversion?
Color conversion is the process of translating color values between different color models or formats. Each color model represents colors using different parameters—some use light (RGB), others use print ink (CMYK), and some use human perception (HSL, HSV). Our tool instantly converts between HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK, and OKLCH formats with decimal precision, providing a live preview of your color.
Whether you're a web developer working with CSS, a designer creating print materials, or someone who needs to match colors across different platforms, understanding and converting between color formats is essential. Our converter provides 2 decimal places of precision for HSL, HSV, and CMYK values, ensuring accurate color reproduction. All conversions happen instantly in your browser with no data sent to any server.
Understanding Color Formats
HEX (Hexadecimal)
HEX is the most common color format in web development. It represents colors using a 6-digit hexadecimal number preceded by a hash (#), where the first two digits represent red, the middle two represent green, and the last two represent blue.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
RGB is an additive color model used in electronic displays. Colors are created by combining red, green, and blue light at varying intensities. When all three are at maximum (255), you get white; when all are zero, you get black.
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
HSL represents colors in a way that's more intuitive to human perception. Hue is the color itself (0-360° on a color wheel), saturation is the color's intensity (0-100%), and lightness is how light or dark it is (0-100%).
HSV / HSB (Hue, Saturation, Value/Brightness)
HSV (also called HSB) is similar to HSL but uses Value/Brightness instead of Lightness. In HSV, full saturation and full value gives the pure hue color, while in HSL you need 50% lightness for the pure hue. HSV is commonly used in color pickers and image editing software. Supports decimal values for precise color control.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)
CMYK is a subtractive color model used in printing. Unlike RGB which adds light, CMYK works by subtracting light through ink absorption. The "K" stands for "Key" (black), added because mixing CMY doesn't produce a true black.
OKLCH (Lightness, Chroma, Hue)
OKLCH is a perceptually uniform color space that provides more intuitive and consistent color manipulation than HSL. Equal changes in values produce equal perceived changes in color, making it ideal for creating accessible color palettes and smooth gradients.
How to Use Our Color Converter
- Enter a color value in any format: type a HEX code (with or without #), enter RGB values using the sliders or number inputs, adjust HSL values, or input CMYK percentages.
- Watch live conversion as all other formats update instantly. The color preview swatch shows your current color in real-time.
- Use the color picker by clicking the "Pick" button to select any color visually using your browser's native color picker.
- Copy any format by clicking the "Copy" button next to each color value.
- Generate random colors by clicking the "Random" button or pressing the spacebar for quick color exploration.
- Explore similar colors in the palette section below, including complementary, analogous, triadic, and tint/shade variations.
Features of Our Color Converter
- Bidirectional Conversion: Convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK, and OKLCH in any direction. Change one format and all others update automatically.
- Decimal Precision: HSL, HSV, and CMYK values display with 2 decimal places for precise color matching and professional workflows.
- Live Preview: See your color in a large preview swatch that updates in real-time as you adjust values.
- Dual Input Methods: Use intuitive sliders for quick adjustments or precise number inputs for exact values.
- CSS Color Names: Automatically detects and displays CSS color names (like "Steel Blue" or "Coral") when applicable.
- Similar Colors Palette: Discover complementary, analogous, triadic colors, plus lighter tints and darker shades of your current color.
- Color Blindness Simulator: See how your colors appear to people with different types of color vision deficiency.
- 100% Client-Side: All processing happens in your browser. No data is ever sent to any server.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What color formats does this converter support?
Our converter supports HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK, and OKLCH formats. HSL, HSV, and CMYK values support decimal precision (2 decimal places) for accurate color matching, while RGB uses integers 0-255 and HEX uses standard hexadecimal notation.
What is the difference between HEX and RGB?
Both represent the same colors but use different notation. HEX uses hexadecimal digits (#FF5733), while RGB uses decimal values (rgb(255, 87, 51)). They're interchangeable and represent the same color space used by digital screens.
Why doesn't CMYK convert exactly to RGB?
RGB and CMYK have different color gamuts. RGB uses additive light (screens), while CMYK uses subtractive ink (print). Some RGB colors can't be reproduced in CMYK and vice versa. Our converter provides the closest approximation.
What is the difference between HSL and HSV?
Both HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) and HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value/Brightness) describe colors using hue and saturation, but differ in their third component. HSL's lightness goes from black (0%) to white (100%) with pure colors at 50%. HSV's value represents brightness, with 100% being the full color and 0% being black. HSV is often preferred by designers, while HSL is more common in CSS.
What is OKLCH and when should I use it?
OKLCH is a perceptually uniform color space that represents colors as Lightness (0-1), Chroma (color intensity), and Hue (0-360°). Unlike HSL/HSV, equal numeric changes in OKLCH produce equal perceived visual changes. It's ideal for creating accessible color palettes and is supported in modern CSS.
When should I use HSL instead of RGB?
HSL is more intuitive for creating color variations. Need a lighter version? Increase lightness. Need a muted tone? Decrease saturation. This makes HSL ideal for theming and generating color palettes programmatically.
What is a complementary color?
A complementary color is located directly opposite another color on the color wheel (180° apart in HSL). Complementary colors create maximum contrast when used together. For example, blue and orange are complementary.
How do I find colors that work well together?
Use color theory relationships: Analogous colors (neighbors on the wheel) create harmony, complementary colors create contrast, and triadic colors create balance. Our Similar Colors section automatically generates all these variations.
What WCAG contrast ratio do I need?
For WCAG AA compliance, normal text needs at least 4.5:1 contrast ratio, large text needs 3:1. For AAA, you need 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. Use our Contrast Checker to verify your combinations.
Is my color data safe?
Yes, all color conversions happen entirely in your browser using client-side JavaScript. No data is ever sent to any server. Your colors remain completely private.
Can I use this tool for print design?
Yes, our tool provides CMYK values for print design. However, for critical print work, always verify colors with your print provider, as screen-to-print color matching depends on paper type, ink, and printer calibration.
What are CSS color names?
CSS defines 147 named colors like "steelblue", "coral", and "mediumseagreen". Our tool automatically detects when your color matches a CSS color name and displays it for convenience.
How does the color blindness simulator work?
The simulator applies scientifically-derived color transformation matrices to show how colors appear to people with protanopia (red-blind), deuteranopia (green-blind), tritanopia (blue-blind), or achromatopsia (total color blindness).
What are tints and shades?
Tints are lighter versions of a color (adding white), while shades are darker versions (adding black). Our tool generates multiple tints and shades automatically, making it easy to create cohesive color schemes with varying brightness levels.
What does the P3 indicator mean?
When you see "P3" next to OKLCH values, it means the color is outside the standard sRGB gamut and falls within the wider P3 color space. These colors may appear differently on older displays but look more vibrant on modern P3-capable screens like newer Macs and iPhones.
Can I generate random colors?
Yes! Click the "Random" button or press the spacebar to instantly generate a random color. This is useful for exploring color options or finding unexpected color combinations.