How to Use the Color Converter
Whether you are a web designer, graphic artist, or developer, converting between color formats is a daily necessity. This tool supports the most common standards used across the web and print industries.
Simply enter a HEX code (e.g., #0d9488), and the tool will instantly calculate the equivalent values in RGB, CMYK, HSL, and HSV. You can also use the native color picker to select any color visually from your screen.
Understanding the Formats
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
RGB is an additive color model used for digital screens. It combines Red, Green, and Blue light in varying intensities (0 to 255) to create a broad spectrum. It is the standard model for CSS and HTML.
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)
Unlike RGB which adds light, CMYK is a subtractive model used primarily in color printing. It works by subtracting specific colors from white paper.
- Cyan: Absorbs Red light.
- Magenta: Absorbs Green light.
- Yellow: Absorbs Blue light.
- Key (Black):strong> Provides the true black that cannot be achieved by mixing Cyan, Magenta, and Yellow.
HSL vs HSV
Both HSL and HSV are cylindrical representations of color, but they describe the lightness differently:
- HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness): "Lightness" mixes the color with pure white or black. This is generally more useful for web design because adjusting Lightness naturally creates "tints" (lighter versions) and "shades" (darker versions).
- HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value): "Value" represents the brightness relative to how "colorful" the color appears. This is often used in computer vision and image editing software.
Accessibility & Contrast
Our accessibility checker calculates the contrast ratio between your selected color and standard black or white text. This is based on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines).
For body text, a ratio of at least 4.5:1 is recommended for AA compliance, and 7:1 for AAA compliance. Large text requires slightly lower ratios (3:1 for AA). If your color has low contrast, consider changing the background color or text color to make your content readable for everyone.
Generating Palettes
The "Generated Tints & Shades" section automatically creates a monochromatic palette.
- Tints: Created by mixing the original color with white. This lightens the color while keeping the hue constant.
- Shades: Created by mixing the original color with black. This darkens the color.
Clicking on any generated swatch will instantly update the main converter inputs to that new color, allowing you to explore the new values immediately.