Color Formats Explained
Every color format explained with a real example. Pick a color and see its exact value in all the major representations — the web formats (HEX, RGB, HSL, HSV, HWB), print (CMYK), video (YUV, YCbCr) and scientific spaces (XYZ, LAB, LUV, CAM16, DIN99, Munsell) — each with a note on where it's actually used.
How to use Color Formats Explained
Enter a color
Type a hex, rgb(), or any color value.
Read every format
See the color in all major representations, grouped by use case.
Copy what you need
Click any value to copy it, or read the 'why so many formats' guide.
All color formats at a glance
Every representation of this color, grouped by where it's actually used.
#92140c
rgb(146, 20, 12)
hsl(4.0, 85.0%, 31.0%)
hsv(4.0, 92.0%, 57.0%)
hwb(4.0, 5.0%, 43.0%)
cmyk(0.0%, 86.0%, 92.0%, 43.0%)
xyz(0.12, 0.07, 0.01)
lab(30.97, 49.56, 39.27)
luv(30.97, 91.20, 21.14)
hsi(4.0, 80.0%, 23.0%)
yuv(0.22, -0.09, 0.31)
ycbcr(65.00, 106.00, 184.00)
j=47.79, c=147.82, h=38.39
L99=42.03, a99=28.15, b99=8.12
10YR 3/12
#7d1b14
#582716
#691d0a
Why so many formats?
Web (HEX · RGB · HSL · HSV · HWB)
CSS and design tools all speak these. HSL/HSV are ideal for adjusting lightness or saturation mathematically.Print (CMYK)
Ink percentages for printers. Converting web colors to CMYK gets you close, but professional print still needs soft-proofing.Video (YUV · YCbCr)
Luma + chroma encoding used by JPEG, MPEG and broadcast. YCbCr is what cameras and video pipelines actually carry.Scientific (XYZ · LAB · LUV · CAM16 · DIN99)
Device-independent spaces used for colorimetry, quality control and color-difference math (ΔE). LAB is the workhorse of color science.Munsell
The classic artist's notation — hue, value (lightness) and chroma — used by fine artists and conservators.Wide gamut (Adobe · ProPhoto · Rec. 2020)
Bigger RGB spaces for photography and HDR. Converting sRGB into them is lossless; the reverse may clip.Key Features
- 15+ format representations of one color
- Grouped by real-world use: web, print, video, science
- Wide-gamut previews (Adobe RGB, ProPhoto, Rec. 2020)
- Plain-English notes on every format
- One-click copy per value
Common Use Cases
- Learn the difference between RGB, HSL and HSV
- Get CMYK values for print work
- Explain lab and xyz spaces to teammates or students
- Compare how the same color appears in different color spaces
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Technical Details
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