Three Color Formats, One Tool
If you work with web design, front-end development, or any kind of digital graphics, you have definitely encountered all three of these color formats: HEX, RGB, and HSL. Each one describes the same color differently, and each one has its own strengths depending on what you are doing.
Our color converter makes it effortless to go between all three. Use the color picker to choose any shade visually, or type a specific HEX code, then copy the RGB or HSL value for your CSS, Figma, or code project.
Understanding the Three Formats
HEX (#RRGGBB) is the most common format in web design. Each character pair represents the intensity of Red, Green, and Blue from 00 (none) to FF (full). The color white is #FFFFFF, black is #000000, and a vibrant blue is #3B82F6.
RGB (rgb(R, G, B)) also represents Red, Green, and Blue, but as numbers from 0 to 255 instead of hex characters. It is popular in CSS because it is very readable. rgb(59, 130, 246) is the same blue as #3B82F6.
HSL (hsl(H, S%, L%)) stands for Hue, Saturation, and Lightness. Many designers prefer this format because it is the most intuitive for making color variations:
- Hue (0–360): The color wheel angle. 0 = red, 120 = green, 240 = blue.
- Saturation (0–100%): How vivid the color is. 0% is grey, 100% is fully saturated.
- Lightness (0–100%): How light the color is. 0% is black, 100% is white, 50% is the pure color.
Why Designers Use HSL
Suppose you have a button with a specific brand color. You want a darker version for the hover state, and a very light tint version for the background. With HSL you just reduce or increase Lightness — no need to reverse-engineer a new HEX code. In CSS: hsl(217, 91%, 60%) becomes hsl(217, 91%, 45%) for a darker shade.
How to Use the Converter
- Click the color picker rectangle to open the browser's native color chooser and visually pick any color.
- Or type a HEX code directly into the HEX input field.
- Or adjust the RGB or HSL input numbers for fine-grained control.
- All three formats update live in sync.
- Click any of the three output tabs to copy the CSS value.
Common Workflow
Grab a color from a design file (usually in HEX), paste it here, then copy the HSL version to use in your CSS variables system for easier theming.