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Color Format Converter

Color Format Converter Calculator

A comprehensive color format converter supporting multiple color spaces and formats. Perfect for web developers, designers, digital artists, and print professionals working across different color systems.

Features

  • Multiple Color Formats:

    • HEX (#RRGGBB, #RGBA)
    • RGB/RGBA (rgb(r,g,b), rgba(r,g,b,a))
    • HSL/HSLA (hsl(h,s%,l%), hsla(h,s%,l%,a))
    • HSV/HSB (hsv(h,s%,v%))
    • CMYK (cmyk(c%,m%,y%,k%))
    • Color Names (e.g., “coral”, “steelblue”)

  • Advanced Features:

    • Alpha transparency support
    • Color preview with background contrast
    • Color accessibility information
    • Color scheme suggestions
    • Color manipulation tools

Why Use This Calculator?

  • Web Development: Convert colors between formats used in CSS and design tools
  • Digital Design: Switch between color spaces for different applications
  • Print Design: Convert web colors to print-ready CMYK format
  • Accessibility: Check color contrast and accessibility compliance
  • Color Exploration: Generate color schemes and variations
  • Cross-Platform: Ensure color consistency across different platforms

Understanding Color Formats

HEX Colors

  • 6-digit hexadecimal: #RRGGBB
  • 8-digit with alpha: #RRGGBBAA
  • Shorthand format: #RGB or #RGBA
  • Values: 00-FF per channel

RGB/RGBA Colors

  • Format: rgb(r, g, b) or rgba(r, g, b, a)
  • Red, Green, Blue: 0-255
  • Alpha: 0.0-1.0
  • Percentage values supported

HSL/HSLA Colors

  • Format: hsl(h, s%, l%) or hsla(h, s%, l%, a)
  • Hue: 0-360 degrees
  • Saturation: 0-100%
  • Lightness: 0-100%
  • Alpha: 0.0-1.0

HSV/HSB Colors

  • Format: hsv(h, s%, v%)
  • Hue: 0-360 degrees
  • Saturation: 0-100%
  • Value/Brightness: 0-100%

CMYK Colors

  • Format: cmyk(c%, m%, y%, k%)
  • Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black): 0-100%
  • Used in print design

Color Theory Basics

Primary Colors

  • RGB (Additive): Red, Green, Blue
  • CMYK (Subtractive): Cyan, Magenta, Yellow

Color Relationships

  • Complementary: Colors opposite on the wheel
  • Analogous: Colors adjacent to each other
  • Triadic: Three colors equally spaced
  • Split-complementary: One color and two adjacent to its complement

Accessibility Guidelines

WCAG Contrast Ratios

  • Minimum (AA): 4.5:1 for normal text
  • Enhanced (AAA): 7:1 for normal text
  • Large text: 3:1 (AA) or 4.5:1 (AAA)

Color Blindness

  • Consider deuteranopia (red-green)
  • Account for protanopia (red-green)
  • Support tritanopia (blue-yellow)

Tips for Color Usage

  1. Web Development

    • Use modern CSS color functions
    • Consider browser compatibility
    • Implement dark mode alternatives

  2. Design Work

    • Maintain consistent palettes
    • Consider color psychology
    • Test across devices

  3. Print Design

    • Convert web colors to CMYK
    • Account for color gamut
    • Consider paper types

  4. Accessibility

    • Test contrast ratios
    • Provide alternative indicators
    • Support color blind users

Common Use Cases

  • Converting brand colors to different formats
  • Ensuring consistent colors across platforms
  • Creating accessible color combinations
  • Generating color schemes
  • Preparing colors for print production
  • Analyzing color properties

Technical Notes

  • All conversions use standard color space algorithms
  • RGB to CMYK conversion uses industry-standard formulas
  • Color name matching uses standard web color names
  • Calculations maintain precision across conversions
  • Results account for gamma correction where applicable

How to Use It

  1. Enter your color in any supported format:
    • HEX (e.g., #FF5733)
    • RGB (e.g., rgb(255, 87, 51))
    • HSL (e.g., hsl(12, 100%, 60%))
  2. See instant conversions to all other formats
  3. Copy the converted values to use in your projects

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my colors look slightly different in different applications?

Different applications and browsers might use slightly different color profiles and rendering engines, which can cause minor variations in how colors appear.

What’s the difference between RGB and HSL?

RGB defines colors by mixing red, green, and blue light, while HSL defines colors using hue (color), saturation (intensity), and lightness (brightness). HSL is often more intuitive for making color adjustments.

Can I convert colors with transparency?

Yes, you can convert colors with alpha transparency between rgba() and hsla() formats. HEX format also supports 8-digit values with transparency (#RRGGBBAA).

Color Format Converter Calculator updated at