If you work with web design, CSS, or any kind of digital graphics, you deal with color codes every day. The two most common formats are RGB and HEX, and knowing how to convert between them is a fundamental skill. This guide explains both formats and shows you how to convert colors instantly.
What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue — the three primary colors of light. Every color on your screen is created by mixing these three channels, each with a value from 0 to 255:
rgb(255, 0, 0)= Pure redrgb(0, 255, 0)= Pure greenrgb(0, 0, 255)= Pure bluergb(255, 255, 255)= White (all channels at maximum)rgb(0, 0, 0)= Black (all channels at zero)
RGB is used in CSS properties like color, background-color, and border-color. It's also the native format for digital displays, image editors, and design tools like Figma and Photoshop.
What is HEX?
HEX (hexadecimal) is simply another way to write the same RGB values. Instead of three decimal numbers (0-255), each channel is represented as a two-digit hexadecimal number (00-FF):
#FF0000= Pure red (FF = 255 in decimal)#00FF00= Pure green#0000FF= Pure blue#FFFFFF= White#000000= Black
HEX codes are the most widely used color format in web development because they're compact and easy to copy-paste. Most CSS frameworks, design systems, and brand guidelines specify colors in HEX.
How to Convert RGB to HEX
The math is straightforward — convert each RGB channel from decimal to hexadecimal:
rgb(37, 99, 235) 37 = 25, 99 = 63, 235 = EB #2563EB
But doing this manually is tedious and error-prone. Instead, use our free Color Picker tool to convert instantly:
- Open the Color Picker
- Enter your RGB values or select a color from the wheel
- Get the HEX code (and HSL, HSV values) automatically
- Copy the code you need with one click
When to Use RGB vs HEX
| Use RGB When... | Use HEX When... |
|---|---|
| You need opacity (RGBA) | Writing CSS shorthand |
| Doing programmatic color calculations | Sharing colors with designers |
| Working with canvas/WebGL | Specifying brand colors |
| Interpolating between colors | Using design tokens |
Other Color Formats You Should Know
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
HSL is more intuitive for humans because it separates color (hue) from intensity (saturation) and brightness (lightness). It's great for creating color palettes — just change the hue while keeping saturation and lightness constant.
RGBA and HSLA
Adding an alpha channel gives you transparency. rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.5) creates a 50% transparent blue. Essential for overlays, glass effects, and layered designs.
Color Picker Tips for Designers
- Accessibility: Always check color contrast ratios. WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum 4.5:1 ratio for normal text
- Consistency: Define your color palette in a design system and use HEX codes as your single source of truth
- CSS Variables: Store colors as custom properties (
--primary: #2563EB;) for easy theming - Naming: Use semantic names (primary, danger, success) rather than color names (blue, red, green)
Our Color Picker supports HEX, RGB, HSL, and HSV formats — all free, no sign-up required. Bookmark it for your next design project.