Color Format Converter

Convert colors between Hex, RGB, and HSL formats with a live preview swatch. Pick a color visually or type any supported value to see every representation update in real time.

Converted Values

Hex

#2563eb

RGB

rgb(37, 99, 235)

HSL

hsl(217, 84%, 53%)

How to Use This Tool

  1. Pick a color -- use the color picker on the left to choose any color visually.
  2. Or type a value -- enter a Hex (#2563eb), RGB (rgb(37,99,235)), or HSL (hsl(217,84%,56%)) value in the text field.
  3. View conversions -- all three format cards and the preview swatch update instantly as you type.
  4. Copy the result -- click "Copy" on any card to copy that specific format to your clipboard.
  5. Iterate -- adjust the color picker or edit the text field to fine-tune your color until it matches your design.

What Is a Color Format Converter?

A color format converter translates a single color value between different notation systems used in web development and graphic design. The three most common formats are Hex, RGB, and HSL. Hex codes like #2563eb are a compact six-character representation widely used in CSS shorthand and design specs. RGB notation such as rgb(37, 99, 235) defines colors by their red, green, and blue channel intensities on a 0-255 scale, which maps directly to how screens produce color.

HSL stands for hue, saturation, and lightness. It represents color in a way that aligns with how humans perceive it: hue is the position on the color wheel (0-360 degrees), saturation controls how vivid the color appears (0-100%), and lightness determines how bright or dark it is (0-100%). This makes HSL especially useful when you need to create tints, shades, or complementary palettes by adjusting a single axis.

Converting between these formats matters because different tools and contexts expect different notations. A designer might hand you a hex code from Figma, but your CSS custom properties use HSL for easy theme switching. This tool lets you paste any supported value and instantly see every equivalent, saving you from manual math or external lookup tables.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between hex, RGB, and HSL?
Hex is a six-character hexadecimal code (e.g. #2563eb) commonly used in CSS and web design. RGB defines a color by its red, green, and blue channel values from 0 to 255. HSL describes a color by hue (0-360 degrees), saturation (0-100%), and lightness (0-100%), making it more intuitive for humans to adjust properties like brightness or vividness without affecting the underlying hue.
How do I find the hex code for a color?
Use the color picker in this tool to visually select any color and its hex code will appear instantly. You can also enter an RGB or HSL value and the tool will convert it to hex for you. Most design applications like Figma, Sketch, and Photoshop also display hex codes in their color panels.
Can I use HSL in CSS?
Yes, all modern browsers support the hsl() and hsla() CSS functions. HSL is often preferred in stylesheets because adjusting lightness or saturation is more intuitive than modifying individual RGB channels. For example, hsl(217, 84%, 56%) creates a vivid blue, and you can lighten it simply by increasing the third value.
What is the difference between RGB and HEX colors?
RGB and HEX represent the same color information in different formats. RGB uses decimal values from 0 to 255 for each red, green, and blue channel (e.g. rgb(37, 99, 235)), while HEX uses a six-character hexadecimal string prefixed with # (e.g. #2563eb). HEX is more compact and widely used in CSS shorthand, while RGB is often easier to read and manipulate programmatically. They are fully interchangeable.
What is HSL and when should I use it?
HSL stands for Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. Hue is a degree on the color wheel (0-360), saturation is the intensity of the color (0-100%), and lightness controls how bright or dark it is (0-100%). HSL is ideal when you need to create color variations like tints, shades, or complementary palettes, because you can adjust a single axis without affecting the others. It is widely supported in CSS via the hsl() function.
How do I make colors accessible?
To make colors accessible, ensure sufficient contrast between text and background colors. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text at the AA level. Avoid relying on color alone to convey information, and always provide alternative indicators like icons or text labels. Use tools like contrast checkers to verify your color combinations meet accessibility standards.
What is an alpha channel?
The alpha channel controls the transparency of a color, with values ranging from 0 (fully transparent) to 1 (fully opaque). In CSS, you can specify alpha using rgba() or hsla() functions, such as rgba(37, 99, 235, 0.5) for a 50% transparent blue. Alpha channels are commonly used for overlays, hover effects, shadows, and any design element where you want the background to show through partially.