Color formats explained
HEX — A 6-digit hexadecimal code (e.g. #FF5733). Used in HTML, CSS, and most design tools. The most widely recognized color format on the web.
RGB — Specifies Red, Green, Blue channels from 0–255 (e.g. rgb(255, 87, 51)). Matches how screens physically produce color.
HSL — Hue (0–360°), Saturation (0–100%), Lightness (0–100%). More intuitive for designers — adjusting lightness or saturation is straightforward.
When to use each format
- HEX — CSS stylesheets, design hand-off, brand guidelines
- RGB — CSS, digital artwork, screen-based design systems
- HSL — CSS variables, theming, dynamic color manipulation
- CMYK — Print design (convert via colourpicker.org)
- Pantone — Brand matching across print and physical materials
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HEX color code?
A HEX color code is a 6-character hexadecimal string prefixed with # that encodes the RGB values of a color. Each pair of characters represents the red, green, and blue channel — from 00 (none) to FF (maximum). For example, #FF0000 is pure red, #000000 is black, #FFFFFF is white.
What is the difference between RGB and HSL?
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) defines a color by mixing light channels from 0 to 255. HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is a more designer-friendly representation: hue is the position on the color wheel (0°–360°), saturation controls vividness (0–100%), and lightness controls brightness (0–100%). Both represent the same colors — HSL is often easier to adjust intuitively.
How do I convert HEX to RGB?
Split the 6-digit hex code into three pairs and convert each from base-16 to base-10. For example: #1a1a2e → 1a=26, 1a=26, 2e=46 → rgb(26, 26, 46). The color picker does this automatically — just paste a HEX value and all formats update instantly.
Does the color picker work on mobile?
Yes — the tool is fully responsive and works on any device. On mobile, tapping the color preview opens the native system color picker for precise selection.
Is the color picker free?
Yes — completely free with no account required and no usage limits.