Color Converter - Convert HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK Colors Online

What Is a Color Converter?

A color converter is a web tool that transforms color values between different mathematical representations used in digital design, web development, and print production. Every color on a screen or in print can be described in multiple formats, and each format serves a different purpose. This tool accepts input in HEX, RGB, HSL, or CSS named colors and instantly outputs the equivalent values in HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK, HWB, and the CSS color name.

The conversion happens entirely in the browser using well-established mathematical formulas. No data is sent to a server, which means conversions are instantaneous and your color values remain private.

Supported Color Formats

• HEX — A six-digit hexadecimal string preceded by a hash sign, e.g. #FF5733. Each pair of digits represents the red, green, and blue channels in base-16 (00 to FF).
• RGB — Three decimal values from 0 to 255, e.g. rgb(255, 87, 51). The additive color model used by screens where red, green, and blue light combine to produce colors.
• HSL — Three values: Hue (0-360 degrees on the color wheel), Saturation (0-100%), and Lightness (0-100%), e.g. hsl(14, 100%, 60%). A perceptually intuitive model that matches how humans describe colors.
• CMYK — Four percentage values for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black), e.g. cmyk(0%, 69%, 80%, 0%). The subtractive model used in printing where ink absorbs light.
• HWB — A CSS color function using Hue, Whiteness, and Blackness, e.g. hwb(14 0% 0%). Defines a color by its hue angle and how much white or black is mixed in.
• CSS Named Colors — Over 140 standard color names recognized by CSS, such as tomato, royalblue, or crimson. Useful for readable, self-documenting stylesheets.

WCAG Contrast Ratio Checker

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define minimum contrast ratios between foreground text and background colors to ensure readability for people with visual impairments. This tool automatically calculates the contrast ratio of your color against both white and black backgrounds and displays whether it passes WCAG AA and AAA levels.

• WCAG AA for normal text — Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. This is the minimum standard for body text on most websites.
• WCAG AA for large text — Requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1. Applies to text at 18pt or 14pt bold and above.
• WCAG AAA for normal text — Requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1. The enhanced level for users with low vision.
• WCAG AAA for large text — Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.

Meeting WCAG contrast requirements is not just a best practice. It is a legal requirement under Section 508, the European Accessibility Act, and many national accessibility laws. Failing these checks means your content may be inaccessible to millions of users.

Color Harmonies

Color harmonies are color schemes derived from geometric relationships on the color wheel. Designers use them to create palettes that are visually balanced and aesthetically pleasing.

• Complementary — Two colors opposite each other on the color wheel (180° apart). High contrast, high impact. Ideal for call-to-action buttons and focal points.
• Triadic — Three colors evenly spaced around the wheel (120° apart). Vibrant and balanced. Works well for illustrations and playful interfaces.
• Analogous — Three to five colors adjacent on the wheel. Low contrast and naturally harmonious. Perfect for backgrounds, gradients, and cohesive UI themes.
• Tetradic (Double Complementary) — Four colors forming a rectangle on the wheel. Rich and complex. Best used when one color dominates and the others serve as accents.

This tool generates all four harmony types from your input color, displaying each color in all supported formats so you can copy the values directly into your project.

Tints, Shades, and the Color Wheel

The tool also generates tints and shades of your color. Tints are created by mixing the color with increasing amounts of white, producing lighter variations suitable for card backgrounds, hover states, and subtle UI gradients. Shades are created by mixing with black, producing darker variations useful for text colors, borders, and shadows.

An interactive SVG color wheel displays your input color and its harmonies visually, helping you see how colors relate to each other spatially on the wheel.

CSS Code Snippets

For every converted color, the tool generates ready-to-use CSS code snippets in three formats:

• background-color — For setting element background colors
• color — For setting text and foreground colors
• border-color — For setting border colors

Each snippet is available in HEX, RGB (with optional alpha), and HSL (with optional alpha) syntax. Copy the snippet directly into your stylesheet without retyping or risking typos.

Palette Generator

The palette generator combines your input color with its harmonies, tints, and shades into a single visual palette. This is useful for creating complete design systems where every color traces back to a single source, ensuring visual consistency across an entire application or brand.

Why Color Conversion Matters

Different tools, platforms, and file formats expect colors in different formats. A web developer might receive a brand color as a CMYK value from a print designer and need to convert it to HEX for CSS. A UI designer might have an HSL palette and need RGB values for an image editing tool. A marketing team might need to verify that their email template text meets WCAG contrast requirements before launch.

Color conversion is also essential for:

• Web design — Ensuring colors render correctly across browsers and devices
• Brand consistency — Maintaining the same color across websites, apps, print materials, and merchandise
• Accessibility compliance — Meeting legal and ethical standards for readable, inclusive design
• Print production — Converting screen-based RGB and HEX values to printer-ready CMYK
• Prototyping — Quickly generating color variations for design exploration and testing

How to Use This Tool

1. Enter a color value — Type or paste a color in HEX, RGB, HSL, or CSS named color format into the input field.
2. View all conversions — The tool instantly displays the equivalent values in HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK, HWB, and the CSS color name.
3. Check contrast ratios — See the WCAG AA and AAA pass/fail status against white and black backgrounds.
4. Explore harmonies — View complementary, triadic, analogous, and tetradic palettes derived from your input color.
5. Copy CSS snippets — Grab ready-to-use CSS code for background-color, text color, or border color in any format.

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Privacy and Security

All color conversions are performed entirely in your browser using JavaScript. No color values, input data, or conversion results are sent to any server. The tool does not use cookies, tracking scripts, or analytics to collect your color data. Your design work remains completely private.