Color Format Converters

Which format to use where

HEX and RGB are interchangeable and are what CSS and design tools expect. HSL is the one to reach for when you want to adjust a color by hand, because changing lightness or saturation is a single number rather than three.

CMYK is for print and is device dependent, so treat any CMYK value from a screen tool as an approximation your printer will refine. LAB is perceptually uniform, which is why color-difference maths like ΔE94 runs in LAB rather than RGB.

Frequently asked

What is the difference between HSL and HSV?

Both use hue and saturation, but they differ on the third axis. In HSL, 100 percent lightness is always white and 50 percent is the pure hue. In HSV, 100 percent value is the pure hue at full brightness and white only occurs when saturation is also zero. HSL is easier for building tints and shades; HSV matches how color pickers are usually drawn.

Why does my CMYK conversion not match my printer?

CMYK is device dependent. A conversion from RGB has to assume an ink set and paper stock, and yours will differ. Use the converted value as a starting point and let your print shop profile it.

Is HEX the same as RGB?

Yes, HEX is just RGB written in base 16. #FF7F50 and rgb(255, 127, 80) are the same color. HEX is more compact, RGB is easier to manipulate arithmetically.

What is LAB color used for?

LAB is perceptually uniform, meaning equal numerical distances look like equal visual differences. That makes it the right space for measuring how different two colors appear, which is exactly what Delta E does.