Hex and RGB Converter
Convert between Hexadecimal and RGB color codes with visual color picker - just like browser DevTools
Color Converter
Visual Color Picker
Enter a 3-digit (#RGB) or 6-digit (#RRGGBB) hex code
Common Color Examples
Quick Conversion Guide
Use Color Picker
Click the visual color picker to select any color instantly
Choose Direction
Or select Hex→RGB or RGB→Hex conversion manually
Enter Values
Input hex code or RGB values (0-255)
View Results
Get instant conversion with color preview & properties
Color Format Tips
Use visual color picker for quick color selection
Hex codes start with # (e.g., #FF5733)
Short format: #RGB expands to #RRGGBB
RGB values range from 0 to 255
Use uppercase or lowercase hex digits
Understanding Hex and RGB Color Codes
What is Hexadecimal Color?
Hexadecimal (Hex) color codes are a way of representing colors using six hexadecimal digits. The format is #RRGGBB, where RR (red), GG (green), and BB (blue) are hexadecimal values ranging from 00 to FF (0-255 in decimal).
Example:
#FF5733
- • FF (255) = Red channel
- • 57 (87) = Green channel
- • 33 (51) = Blue channel
What is RGB Color?
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is a color model that represents colors by combining red, green, and blue light in varying intensities. Each channel ranges from 0 (no intensity) to 255 (maximum intensity), allowing for 16,777,216 possible colors.
Example:
rgb(255, 87, 51)
- • Red: 255 (maximum)
- • Green: 87 (medium-low)
- • Blue: 51 (low)
Conversion Formulas and Calculations
Hex to RGB Conversion
To convert a hexadecimal color code to RGB values, separate the hex code into three two-digit pairs and convert each from hexadecimal (base 16) to decimal (base 10):
Given Hex: #A7C5E3
Step 1: Separate into components
- Red (RR) = A7
- Green (GG) = C5
- Blue (BB) = E3
Step 2: Convert each to decimal
- Red: A7₁₆ = (10 × 16¹) + (7 × 16⁰) = 160 + 7 = 167
- Green: C5₁₆ = (12 × 16¹) + (5 × 16⁰) = 192 + 5 = 197
- Blue: E3₁₆ = (14 × 16¹) + (3 × 16⁰) = 224 + 3 = 227
Result: rgb(167, 197, 227)
RGB to Hex Conversion
To convert RGB values to hexadecimal, convert each decimal value (0-255) to its hexadecimal equivalent (00-FF) and combine them:
Given RGB: rgb(255, 87, 51)
Step 1: Convert each value to hexadecimal
- Red: 255 ÷ 16 = 15 remainder 15 = FF
- Green: 87 ÷ 16 = 5 remainder 7 = 57
- Blue: 51 ÷ 16 = 3 remainder 3 = 33
Step 2: Combine with # prefix
FF + 57 + 33
Result: #FF5733
💡 Pro Tip: Hexadecimal Digit Reference
Practical Applications of Color Conversion
🎨 Web Design & Development
- •CSS styling uses both hex (#FF5733) and RGB (rgb(255, 87, 51)) formats
- •Convert between formats for consistency across projects
- •RGB format supports transparency with rgba()
- •Hex codes are more compact for documentation
🖼️ Graphic Design
- •Match colors between different design software
- •Create brand color palettes with exact specifications
- •Export colors from image editing tools to web formats
- •Ensure color consistency across print and digital media
💻 Programming
- •Generate dynamic color schemes in applications
- •Process image data and manipulate pixel colors
- •Create data visualizations with precise color control
- •Parse color values from user input in different formats
📱 Digital Marketing
- •Maintain brand identity across platforms
- •Extract colors from competitor websites
- •Optimize email templates with accurate colors
- •Create social media graphics with consistent branding
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I use the visual color picker?
Click on the color picker square at the top of the calculator to open your browser's native color selection tool. This works just like the color picker in browser DevTools - you can select any color visually, and the calculator will automatically convert it to both hex and RGB formats. This feature is perfect for designers who want to match colors from design mockups or developers inspecting website colors.
What is the difference between Hex and RGB color codes?
Both hex and RGB represent the same colors, just in different formats. Hex uses hexadecimal notation (#RRGGBB) which is base-16, while RGB uses decimal numbers (0-255) for each color channel. Hex codes are more compact and commonly used in web design, while RGB is more intuitive and allows for alpha transparency with RGBA.
Can I use 3-digit hex codes instead of 6-digit ones?
Yes! 3-digit hex codes (#RGB) are shorthand for 6-digit codes where each digit is repeated. For example, #F0A is equivalent to #FF00AA. This shorthand only works when each color channel has two identical digits. Our calculator automatically handles both formats.
How many colors can be represented with hex and RGB?
Both hex and RGB can represent exactly 16,777,216 colors (256³). This is because each of the three color channels (Red, Green, Blue) can have 256 different values (0-255 or 00-FF), giving us 256 × 256 × 256 = 16,777,216 possible combinations.
Why do web designers prefer hex codes over RGB?
Hex codes are preferred in web design primarily because they're more compact (7 characters vs. 12-16 for RGB) and have been the traditional standard in CSS and HTML. However, RGB is gaining popularity because it's more human-readable and the rgba() format supports transparency. Modern web development uses both formats depending on the specific needs.
What does the # symbol mean in hex color codes?
The # symbol (hash or pound sign) is a prefix that indicates a hexadecimal color code in HTML and CSS. It tells the browser or application to interpret the following digits as a hex color value rather than plain text or another type of value. While some programming contexts accept hex colors without the #, it's standard practice to always include it in web development.
How do I find the complementary color?
The complementary color is found by inverting each RGB channel: subtract each value from 255. For example, if you have rgb(100, 150, 200), the complementary color is rgb(155, 105, 55) because 255-100=155, 255-150=105, and 255-200=55. Our calculator automatically shows the complementary color for any input you provide.