Why convert between RGB and HEX?
Every design tool speaks a slightly different color language. Figma shows you HEX by default. Photoshop works natively in RGB. CSS accepts both, but HEX is more compact in source code. When you are moving between tools or handing off designs to a developer, knowing how to translate between formats quickly eliminates friction and prevents mismatched colors in the final product.
RGB is the underlying model that screens use to display color. Red, green, and blue channels each range from 0 to 255, giving you over 16 million possible combinations. When you think about why a color looks a certain way - too red, too dark, not saturated enough - thinking in RGB makes sense because you are adjusting the actual light emissions. Tweaking the individual channels gives you precise, predictable results.
HEX codes are the web standard. They are compact, copyable, and universally accepted across HTML, CSS, design tools, and marketing documents. A brand guide listing colors as HEX codes is immediately useful to anyone working on the brand. Knowing how to read and generate HEX codes is a fundamental skill for anyone working in digital design or front-end development.
HEX shorthand: some colors can be written with three characters instead of six. If each pair in a six-digit code is a repeated digit (like #ffcc00), it can be written as #fc0. Not all HEX colors have a shorthand equivalent.
Convert between RGB and HEX in three steps
Processing is instant and completely private. No data is ever shared or stored.
Enter a color value
Type RGB values (0-255 for each channel) or paste a HEX code directly into the input. You can also use the visual color picker to select any color by clicking.
See all formats update instantly
As you adjust any input, all three formats (RGB, HEX, and HSL) update in real time. The color preview swatch shows you exactly what the color looks like.
Copy the format you need
Click the copy button next to any format to send it to your clipboard. Paste directly into your CSS file, design tool, or wherever the color is needed.
Tips for working with color codes
Use HEX for CSS and web projects
HEX codes (#rrggbb) are the most compact format and are universally accepted in CSS, HTML attributes, and web design tools. Prefer HEX for anything web-related.
Use RGB when you need fine-tuning
Adjusting individual R, G, and B sliders gives you direct control over the warmth, coolness, and brightness of a color in a way that is more intuitive than editing HEX digits.
Use HSL for accessibility adjustments
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) makes it easy to create accessible color pairs. You can darken a color for a text overlay by simply reducing the L value while keeping the hue the same.
Pure black and white have simple codes
Pure black is #000000 or rgb(0,0,0). Pure white is #ffffff or rgb(255,255,255). Shades of gray always have equal R, G, and B values in RGB notation.
Test color contrast for accessibility
When choosing text and background colors, make sure there is enough contrast for readability. A general rule is to aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.
Frequently asked questions
How does the HEX format work?
A HEX color code has six characters after the hash symbol (#RRGGBB). Each pair of characters represents one color channel: red, green, and blue. Each pair goes from 00 (0 in decimal) to FF (255 in decimal), the same range as RGB.
Can I enter a HEX code directly?
Yes. Type or paste a six-digit HEX code, with or without the # prefix, into the HEX input field. The RGB and HSL values and the sliders all update automatically.
What is HSL and when should I use it?
HSL stands for Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. Hue is the color angle on the color wheel (0-360). Saturation is the intensity of the color (0 is gray, 100% is vivid). Lightness goes from black (0%) to white (100%). HSL is the most human-readable format for describing and adjusting colors.
Does this tool store the colors I enter?
All conversion runs privately with no data sent anywhere. Nothing you enter here is stored or logged anywhere.