RGB ↔ CMYK Converter

Convert RGB colors to CMYK percentages for print, or CMYK back to RGB for screen. Free and private, right in your browser.

RGB → CMYK

CMYK → RGB

Convert colors between RGB (the additive red/green/blue model your screen uses) and CMYK (the subtractive cyan/magenta/yellow/black model used for print), so you can check how a screen color will translate to ink or go the other way from a Pantone/print swatch back to an RGB or hex value for digital use.

How to use it

  1. Enter a color as RGB values or a hex code
  2. Read off the converted CMYK percentages (or vice versa)
  3. Copy the values you need for your design or print file

Frequently asked questions

Why does my CMYK print look different from the RGB I saw on screen?
RGB is additive light (screens) and CMYK is subtractive ink (paper), so they cover different color ranges - CMYK can't reproduce many bright RGB blues and greens. This tool uses the standard math conversion, not your printer's ICC profile, so treat the result as a close estimate and always check a proof print for anything color-critical.
What formula does the converter use?
It uses the common device-independent formula: K = 1 - max(R,G,B), then C, M, Y are derived from K and each channel. It's the same baseline formula used in most design software's quick preview, though real print shops apply their own ICC color profiles for final output.
Can I convert a hex code instead of typing R, G, B numbers?
Yes - paste a hex value like #1E90FF and it's parsed into RGB automatically before converting to CMYK, so you don't need to look up the decimal values yourself.