Color Converter
Convert colors across HEX, RGB, and HSL formats instantly.
Color Converter
HEX: #0EA5E9
RGB: rgb(14, 165, 233)
HSL: hsl(199, 89%, 48%)
What This Tool Does
- Color Converter transforms color values between HEX, RGB, HSL, and other color spaces for design and web development.
- Convert design mockup colors into CSS-ready values with instant preview and copy.
Usage
- Paste HEX (#FF5733), RGB (rgb(255, 87, 51)), or HSL (hsl(9, 100%, 60%)) color input.
- The converter auto-detects format and generates equivalents in other formats.
- Review the converted values and color preview.
- Copy converted values for use in CSS, design tools, or component props.
Examples
- Translate design mockup colors (#FF5733) into all supported CSS formats.
- Normalize mixed palette values (some HEX, some RGB) in a design token file.
- Extract HSL values from HEX to enable CSS relative color changes.
- Convert brand color codes to all formats for CSS variables and design system documentation.
Limitations
- Results should be validated in your target runtime before production use.
- Extremely large input payloads may be constrained by browser memory and performance limits.
Common Mistakes
- Invalid HEX length: #FFF (3) expands to #FFFFFF. #FF5 is invalid; must be 3 or 6 hex digits (+ 2 for alpha).
- RGB out of range: Values > 255 are invalid. If converted from HSL, percentages roll over (270% S = 70%).
- Confusing RGB vs HSL saturation: In RGB, "saturation" is conceptual. HSL saturation is explicit 0–100%. Not interchangeable.
- Alpha channel dropped: If converting RGBA to HEX, alpha is lost (HEX standard does not include alpha). Use RGBA/HSLA for opacity.
- Hue wrapping: Hue 0–360° wraps (361° = 1°). 400° is valid hue (40°) but unusual.
- Color space mismatch: sRGB is standard for web; display-p3 or adobe-rgb are wider gamuts. Conversion between color spaces needs profiles.
Technical Reference Guide
- HEX: Hexadecimal notation #RRGGBB. Example: #FF5733 (red=FF, green=57, blue=33). Shorthand: #RGB expands to #RRGGBB.
- RGB: Red, Green, Blue components 0–255. Example: rgb(255, 87, 51). Format: rgb(r, g, b).
- RGBA: RGB with alpha (opacity) 0–1. Example: rgba(255, 87, 51, 0.8). A = 1 is fully opaque, A = 0 is fully transparent.
- HSL: Hue (0–360°), Saturation (0–100%), Lightness (0–100%). Example: hsl(9, 100%, 60%). Useful for color manipulation.
- HSLA: HSL with alpha. Example: hsla(9, 100%, 60%, 0.8). A = opacity.
- Color space: RGB is device-dependent (additive light). HSL is human-perceptual (separates color, saturation, brightness).
- Bit depth: 24-bit RGB (8 bits per channel) = 16.7 million colors. 32-bit RGBA adds 8-bit alpha.
Specifications & Standards
FAQ
Does conversion include alpha channel?
Current output focuses on core HEX/RGB/HSL conversions. Alpha channel is supported for RGBA/HSLA formats but may not include all variants.
Can I paste shorthand HEX?
Yes. Shorthand HEX like #F57 is auto-expanded to #FF5577 and converted to all formats.
What if I use percentages in RGB?
Some tools support rgb(100% 50% 10%). Convert to 0–255 scale: 100% R = 255, 50% G = 127.5 (→128), 10% B = 25.
Can I get CSS variables output?
Converter outputs individual color formats. Use output to define CSS custom properties (--my-color: #FF5733;).
How do I adjust brightness in HSL?
In HSL, increase Lightness (L) to brighten, decrease to darken. Saturation (S) controls color intensity.
Can this converter handle color names?
Converter focuses on numeric formats (HEX, RGB, HSL). Color name input like "red" requires a separate lookup tool.
Related Tools
Explore related utilities inside the Data Workshop workshop for complementary engineering workflows.
View all Data Workshop tools