Color Converter: Convert HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK & More Instantly
Color format confusion is a constant pain point in design and web development. Your design tool exports CMYK for print, your CSS needs HEX, and your designer shared an HSL value. Formly's color converter converts between all major color formats instantly with a live preview.
Try Color Converter Free →Color Formats Explained
HEX: #RRGGBB — 6-digit hexadecimal used in CSS and HTML. RGB: rgb(255, 0, 128) — red, green, blue channels 0–255. RGBA: rgba(255, 0, 128, 0.5) — same as RGB plus alpha (opacity) 0–1. HSL: hsl(210, 100%, 50%) — hue (0–360°), saturation (0–100%), lightness (0–100%). HSV/HSB: similar to HSL but with value/brightness instead of lightness. CMYK: cyan, magenta, yellow, black percentages — used in print.
When to Use Each Format
HEX: web development, CSS, most design tools. RGB/RGBA: when you need alpha transparency in CSS. HSL: manipulating colors programmatically — easy to adjust lightness/saturation. CMYK: print design — different color gamut than screen. Don't use CMYK for web (it will be auto-converted and look wrong).
CSS Color Output
The converter outputs ready-to-paste CSS code: background-color: #4A90E2; background-color: rgb(74, 144, 226); background-color: hsl(210, 66%, 59%); background-color: rgba(74, 144, 226, 1.0); — copy whichever format your codebase uses.
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Color Picker and Palette
Beyond conversion, the tool includes a color picker where you can visually select any color and get all its representations simultaneously. It also generates tints (lighter variants), shades (darker variants), and complementary colors — useful for building color palettes.
Color Gamut Differences
Screen colors (sRGB) and print colors (CMYK) have different gamuts — some vivid screen colors cannot be reproduced in print. When converting sRGB to CMYK, saturated blues and greens are most affected. Print designers should always proof colors in their print medium before finalizing.
Accessibility: Color Contrast
The converter shows the WCAG contrast ratio between your selected color and white/black backgrounds. WCAG AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text. WCAG AAA requires 7:1. This helps designers ensure text remains readable against colored backgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I convert HEX to CMYK?⌄
Yes. Enter any HEX value and the converter outputs the equivalent CMYK values.
Does it support RGBA (with transparency)?⌄
Yes. RGBA and HSLA (with alpha/opacity) are fully supported.
Is it free?⌄
Yes. Completely free with no limits.
Does it show WCAG accessibility compliance?⌄
Yes. The tool shows contrast ratios against white and black backgrounds and indicates WCAG AA/AAA compliance.
Can I enter a color name like "coral" or "steelblue"?⌄
Yes. CSS named colors are supported — enter any valid CSS color name and get all format representations.
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