Free Online Color Converter
Convert HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, HWB, CMYK and CSS color names instantly with our free browser-based color converter.
Color Converter
Convert colors instantly between HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, HWB, CMYK and CSS color names.
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Use This Color in CSS
color: #1e90ff;
background-color: #1e90ff;
border-color: #1e90ff;
What Is a Color Converter?
A color converter is a digital tool that allows developers, designers, and digital artists to translate color values from one format to another seamlessly. Different technologies and software applications utilize various color models, such as HEX for web design, RGB for digital screens, CMYK for printing, and HSL or HSV for intuitive human color selection. Our free browser-based color converter translates these values instantly to ensure your colors are accurate across all mediums.
How to Convert HEX to RGB
The HEX (Hexadecimal) color code represents RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values using a base-16 number system. A standard 6-character HEX code (like #FF5733) is split into three pairs: the first pair represents Red, the second Green, and the third Blue. To manually convert, you translate each hexadecimal pair into its decimal equivalent (0-255). For example, FF is 255, 57 is 87, and 33 is 51, resulting in rgb(255, 87, 51). Our tool automates this complex math for you in real time.
How to Convert RGB to HEX
Converting RGB to HEX is the reverse process. You take the decimal value of each Red, Green, and Blue channel (which ranges from 0 to 255) and convert it into a two-digit hexadecimal string. For example, an RGB value of rgb(0, 128, 255) translates to 00 for 0, 80 for 128, and FF for 255, creating the HEX code #0080FF.
What Is HSL?
HSL stands for Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. It is designed to be more intuitive for human perception than RGB. Hue is represented as a degree on the color wheel (0-360), where 0 is red, 120 is green, and 240 is blue. Saturation represents the intensity of the color (0% to 100%), and Lightness dictates how dark or light the color is (0% is black, 50% is normal, 100% is white).
What Is HSV?
HSV (also known as HSB) stands for Hue, Saturation, and Value (or Brightness). While similar to HSL, the "Value" dimension behaves differently than "Lightness." In HSV, a value of 100% means the color is at its brightest, while in HSL, 100% lightness is always pure white. HSV is commonly used in graphic design software color pickers.
What Is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). It is a subtractive color model primarily used in color printing. Unlike RGB, which starts with a black screen and adds light (additive), CMYK starts with white paper and subtracts light using ink. Converting digital RGB colors to CMYK is crucial before sending designs to a physical printer.
What Is HWB?
HWB stands for Hue, Whiteness, and Blackness. It was created by the inventor of HSV as an even more intuitive way for humans to mix colors. You pick a Hue, then mix in amounts of White and Black to reach the desired shade. It is gaining popularity as a standard CSS color format in modern browsers.
HEX vs RGB vs HSL
While HEX and RGB describe the exact exact mixture of light channels on a screen, HSL describes how humans naturally think about color ("I want a darker red", or "I want a more faded blue"). Developers often prefer HEX for its brevity in CSS, RGB for its ease of manipulation when dealing with opacity (RGBA), and HSL for generating logical color palettes programmatically.
How Color Codes Are Used in CSS
In modern web development, CSS accepts multiple formats. You can assign a background color using a keyword (background-color: red;), a HEX code (color: #FF0000;), or functional notations like rgb(), hsl(), and even modern formats like hwb(). Using our CSS Color Code export feature allows you to copy these exact snippets directly into your stylesheet.
How to Choose Accessible Colors
Digital accessibility ensures all users, including those with visual impairments, can read your content. The WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) mandates a minimum contrast ratio between text and its background. For standard text, AA compliance requires a 4.5:1 ratio, while AAA requires 7:1. Our contrast checker automatically calculates these ratios to help you build inclusive designs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a color converter?
A color converter translates a specific color from one mathematical representation (like HEX) into another (like RGB, HSL, or CMYK). It allows designers and developers to seamlessly port colors across different software, coding languages, and printing mediums.
How do I convert HEX to RGB?
Simply paste your HEX code (e.g., #1E90FF) into the input box at the top of the page. The converter will instantly display the exact RGB equivalent, which you can copy with a single click.
Can I convert CSS color names?
Yes. You can type any standard CSS color name (like "dodgerblue", "tomato", or "rebeccapurple") into the converter, and we will calculate the corresponding HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK values.
Can I convert RGB to CMYK?
Yes! While RGB is used for digital screens and CMYK is used for physical printing, our tool uses standard conversion algorithms to map your RGB values to the closest CMYK ink percentages.
Is Color Converter CTL free?
Yes, our color converter is 100% free to use. There are no limits on conversions, no premium tiers, and no hidden fees.
Do I need to create an account?
No account or signup is required. You can start converting colors instantly.
Are my colors uploaded to a server?
No. All color conversion happens locally right inside your web browser. Your colors are entirely private. Recent and favorite colors are stored securely in your browser's local storage and are never sent over the internet.