Color Format Comparison
RGB, HEX, HSL, HSV, CMYK
Compare the most popular color formats used in design, printing, and web development
Each color format serves a unique purpose—from digital screens to printing presses. This page compares the key differences, use cases, and strengths of the most commonly used color systems.
🧠 Quick Summary Table
| Format | Type | Best Used For | Components | Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RGB | Additive | Digital screens | Red, Green, Blue | Light-based |
| HEX | Encoded RGB | Web design | RRGGBB (hexadecimal) | Light-based |
| HSL | Perceptual | UI/UX design | Hue, Saturation, Lightness | Designer-friendly |
| HSV | Perceptual | Digital art, painting | Hue, Saturation, Value | Brightness-focused |
| CMYK | Subtractive | Printing | Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black) | Ink-based |
🎨 Visual Comparison
| Format | Black | White | Red | Green | Blue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RGB | (0,0,0) | (255,255,255) | (255,0,0) | (0,255,0) | (0,0,255) |
| HEX | #000000 | #FFFFFF | #FF0000 | #00FF00 | #0000FF |
| HSL | hsl(0, 0%, 0%) | hsl(0, 0%, 100%) | hsl(0, 100%, 50%) | hsl(120, 100%, 50%) | hsl(240, 100%, 50%) |
| HSV | (0, 0%, 0%) | (0, 0%, 100%) | (0, 100%, 100%) | (120, 100%, 100%) | (240, 100%, 100%) |
| CMYK | (0,0,0,100) | (0,0,0,0) | (0,100,100,0) | (100,0,100,0) | (100,100,0,0) |
✅ When to Use Each Format
RGB
- 📱Best for screens, monitors, video, photography
- 🎯Used in digital display pipelines
- 🧠Human-eye simulation
HEX
- 🌐Web-friendly, concise format
- 💻Default in CSS/HTML
- 🔍Easy to copy and use in code
HSL
- 🎨Ideal for designers choosing color harmony
- 💡Easier tint/shade creation than RGB
- 📚Well-supported in CSS
HSV
- 🖌️Great for digital artists and painting tools
- 🎛️Used in sliders and real-time color pickers
- 🔦Easy brightness control
CMYK
- 🖨️Used in print production (magazines, packaging)
- 🎨Ink-efficient blending
- 📄Requires RGB-to-CMYK conversion
🤔 Conversion Notes
✅ Direct Conversions
- RGB ↔️ HEX: Direct and lossless
- RGB ↔️ HSL/HSV: Requires calculation, but reversible
⚠️ Complex Conversions
- RGB → CMYK: May lose vibrancy; requires profiling
- CMYK → RGB: Approximate only (not 1:1)
💡 Pro Tip
Always work in the format that matches your final output medium. Convert at the last step to preserve color accuracy and avoid unexpected shifts.
FAQs
Q1: Which format is best for websites?
HEX or HSL for styling; RGB if using JS or canvas APIs.
Q2: Can I print a design made in RGB?
Yes, but convert to CMYK first for color accuracy.
Q3: What format is most human-friendly?
HSL/HSV, because they mirror how people perceive color.
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