The Color Converter converts a valid colour value into HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, CMYK, and RGB-percentage representations. It also generates a light-to-dark shade list from the converted HSL colour.
Supported input
The calculator accepts a hexadecimal colour, RGB channel values, or HSL values. RGB channels are clamped to 0-255; HSL hue is clamped to 0-360 and saturation/lightness to 0-100.
Conversion method
The module converts the input into an RGB triplet first. It then derives:
- HEX from the rounded red, green, and blue channels.
- HSL from channel maxima, minima, hue, saturation, and lightness.
- HSV from channel maxima, minima, and value.
- CMYK from normalized RGB channels and black key (
K).
Worked example
For #336699, the RGB channels are (51, 102, 153). The calculator returns the same HEX value, an RGB string, an HSL string, HSV and CMYK equivalents, channel values, and seven shade swatches at fixed lightness levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are RGB, HSL, and CMYK interchangeable?
They represent colour using different models and are useful in different contexts. Conversion can involve rounding, so converting back may not reproduce every original decimal value exactly.
Does this use a colour profile?
No. It performs mathematical conversions on channel values and does not apply ICC profiles, display calibration, or print-process simulation.
What are the shade swatches?
They reuse the converted hue and saturation with lightness values from 92 down to 20, producing a simple tonal scale for interface or design exploration.
Limitations
The converter is a screen-colour utility. It does not measure a physical sample, guarantee printed colour, or account for device gamut, transparency, alpha channels, or perceptual colour spaces such as Lab.