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RGB to CMYK Converter

This rgb to cmyk converter turns RGB or HEX colors into CMYK percentages for print, and it works the other way too. In the first mode, type rgb(24, 119, 242), paste #1877F2 or drag the Red, Green and Blue sliders, and the result shows cmyk(90%, 51%, 0%, 5%). Switch to CMYK to RGB and HEX to enter cyan, magenta, yellow and black values and get the screen color back. Designers use it to give a print shop starting values for a brand color, and to check what a CMYK spec from a printer looks like on screen. The conversion uses the standard formula without an ICC profile, so treat results as a starting point and confirm with a proof.

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Result (CMYK)
cmyk(59%, 58%, 0%, 5%)
Numbers only59, 58, 0, 5
HEX#6366F1
RGBrgb(99, 102, 241)
cmykcmyk(59%, 58%, 0%, 5%)
hex#6366F1
rgbrgb(99, 102, 241)
hslhsl(239, 84%, 67%)
hsvhsv(239, 59%, 95%)
oklchoklch(58.54% 0.2041 277.12)

How this conversion is calculated

  1. Scale RGB to 0 to 1: R 0.388, G 0.4, B 0.945.
  2. Black K = 1 - max(R, G, B) = 5.5%.
  3. C = (1 - R - K) / (1 - K) = 58.9%, M = 57.7%, Y = 0%.
  4. This is the plain formula. Print shops convert with an ICC profile, which gives different numbers.

Code snippets

CSScolor: #6366F1;
CSS variable--brand: #6366F1;
SCSS$brand: #6366F1;
Swift (UIKit)UIColor(red: 0.388, green: 0.4, blue: 0.945, alpha: 1)
SwiftUIColor(red: 0.388, green: 0.4, blue: 0.945, opacity: 1)
Android XML<color name="brand">#6366F1</color>
Kotlin / Jetpack ComposeColor(0xFF6366F1)
Java (Android)Color.argb(255, 99, 102, 241)
FlutterColor(0xFF6366F1)
Unity C#new Color32(99, 102, 241, 255)
.NET C#Color.FromArgb(255, 99, 102, 241)
Python tuple(99, 102, 241)

Convert a list

Paste up to 1,000 values, one per line. Each line is converted to CMYK.

More color formats (HWB, LAB, LCH, OKLab, XYZ and more)
RGB %rgb(38.8%, 40%, 94.5%)
HWBhwb(239 38.8% 5.5%)
OKLaboklab(58.54% 0.0253 -0.2025)
CIE LABlab(50.1% 38.69 -70.49)
CIE LCHlch(50.1% 80.4 298.76)
CIE LUV50.1, -8.88, -111.2
CIE XYZ25.769, 18.504, 85.416
CIE xyY0.1987, 0.1427, 18.504
Decimal6514417
Binary01100011 01100110 11110001
Nearest web safe#6666FF
Common colors reference table

Click a name to load it into the converter.

ColorHEXRGBCMYK
#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)0%, 0%, 0%, 100%
#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)0%, 0%, 0%, 0%
#FF0000rgb(255, 0, 0)0%, 100%, 100%, 0%
#00FF00rgb(0, 255, 0)100%, 0%, 100%, 0%
#0000FFrgb(0, 0, 255)100%, 100%, 0%, 0%
#FFFF00rgb(255, 255, 0)0%, 0%, 100%, 0%
#00FFFFrgb(0, 255, 255)100%, 0%, 0%, 0%
#FF00FFrgb(255, 0, 255)0%, 100%, 0%, 0%
#C0C0C0rgb(192, 192, 192)0%, 0%, 0%, 25%
#808080rgb(128, 128, 128)0%, 0%, 0%, 50%
#800000rgb(128, 0, 0)0%, 100%, 100%, 50%
#808000rgb(128, 128, 0)0%, 0%, 100%, 50%
#008000rgb(0, 128, 0)100%, 0%, 100%, 50%
#800080rgb(128, 0, 128)0%, 100%, 0%, 50%
#008080rgb(0, 128, 128)100%, 0%, 0%, 50%
#000080rgb(0, 0, 128)100%, 100%, 0%, 50%
#FFA500rgb(255, 165, 0)0%, 35%, 100%, 0%
#FF6347rgb(255, 99, 71)0%, 61%, 72%, 0%
#FFD700rgb(255, 215, 0)0%, 16%, 100%, 0%
#4B0082rgb(75, 0, 130)42%, 100%, 0%, 49%

How to use

01

Choose the direction

Select RGB or HEX to CMYK, or CMYK to RGB and HEX, at the top of the tool. Your current color carries over when you switch, written in the new format.

02

Enter the color

Type or paste into the input, such as rgb(24, 119, 242), #1877F2 or cmyk(90, 51, 0, 5), or move the channel sliders. Percentages and 0 to 1 decimals both work for CMYK.

03

Copy the result

Result shows the answer with a Copy button, plus extra variants such as Numbers only. The grid below lists every other format for the same color.

Why RGB to CMYK Converter

RGB to CMYK formula and common values

Worked example with #1877F2, which is rgb(24, 119, 242). Divide by 255: R = 0.094, G = 0.467, B = 0.949. K = 1 - 0.949 = 0.051, or 5%. C = (1 - 0.094 - 0.051) / (1 - 0.051) = 0.90, or 90%. M = (1 - 0.467 - 0.051) / 0.949 = 0.51, or 51%. Y = (1 - 0.949 - 0.051) / 0.949 = 0. The result is cmyk(90%, 51%, 0%, 5%).

The table lists simple colors so you can sanity check any conversion. These are formula values, not the numbers a print profile would give.

ColorHEXRGBCMYK (formula)
Black#000000rgb(0, 0, 0)0%, 0%, 0%, 100%
White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)0%, 0%, 0%, 0%
Red#FF0000rgb(255, 0, 0)0%, 100%, 100%, 0%
Green#00FF00rgb(0, 255, 0)100%, 0%, 100%, 0%
Blue#0000FFrgb(0, 0, 255)100%, 100%, 0%, 0%
Yellow#FFFF00rgb(255, 255, 0)0%, 0%, 100%, 0%
Orange#FFA500rgb(255, 165, 0)0%, 35%, 100%, 0%
Gray#808080rgb(128, 128, 128)0%, 0%, 0%, 50%

Why screen colors look duller in print

RGB is additive: a screen starts dark and adds red, green and blue light. CMYK is subtractive: paper starts white and inks absorb light. The range of colors each system can show, called its gamut, is different, and a typical RGB screen can show bright, saturated colors that CMYK inks cannot reach.

When a design is converted for print, those out-of-gamut colors are pulled in to the nearest printable color, which usually looks flatter. Neon greens, electric blues and vivid oranges are the usual victims, while skin tones, browns and muted colors usually survive well. To avoid surprises, convert early with your printer's profile, ask for a printed proof, and for brand colors that must stay vivid consider a spot color such as a Pantone ink.

Common questions

How do I convert RGB to CMYK?
Divide R, G and B by 255. Black is K = 1 - the largest of the three. Then C = (1 - R - K) / (1 - K), and the same for M with G and Y with B. Multiply by 100 for percentages. The converter does this instantly and shows each step's result.
How do I convert CMYK to RGB?
Choose CMYK to RGB and HEX and enter the four values. The formula is R = 255 x (1 - C) x (1 - K), and the same for G with M and B with Y. cmyk(0%, 58%, 100%, 0%) gives rgb(255, 107, 0), which is #FF6B00.
Why do my colors look different when printed?
Screens mix light and can show brighter, more saturated colors than ink on paper. Very bright blues, greens and oranges are often outside what CMYK inks can print, so they come out duller. Paper type, ink and press settings also change the result.
Is HEX to CMYK conversion exact?
No formula can be exact for every printer. This tool uses the standard device-independent formula. Print software converts with an ICC profile for a specific press and paper, which can give quite different numbers, especially for dark and saturated colors.
What CMYK profile do printers use?
It depends on the region and paper. Printers in the US often work with GRACoL or SWOP profiles, and printers in Europe often use FOGRA based profiles such as FOGRA39. Ask your printer which one to use, and convert in your design software with that profile.
What is rich black in CMYK?
Rich black is black ink with some cyan, magenta and yellow added under it for a deeper result on large areas. A common recipe is C60 M40 Y40 K100, but printers have their own preferred mix. Use plain K100 for small text so letters stay sharp.
What does the K in CMYK stand for?
K stands for key, the plate that carries detail in printing, which is almost always black ink. Using K instead of B also avoids confusion with blue.
Why does pure RGB blue convert to cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%)?
In the formula, blue has no red or green, so it needs full cyan and full magenta to absorb them. In real printing, 100% cyan plus 100% magenta gives a purple-leaning blue that is darker than screen blue, which is why bright blues often disappoint in print.
Can I convert a list of colors to CMYK at once?
Yes. Paste HEX or RGB values into Convert a list, one per line, in the RGB or HEX to CMYK mode. Each line gets its formula CMYK value, and you can copy the results or download a CSV to send to a printer as a starting point.

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