CSS8 min
CSS Color Systems: HEX, RGB, HSL & When to Use Each
A practical guide to CSS color formats for developers: HEX, RGB, HSL, oklch, custom properties, and modern color features.
Read more→Color Picker & Converter
Free color picker tool: convert between HEX, RGB, HSL & CMYK instantly. Generate color palettes, check WCAG contrast ratios & copy CSS codes. 100% browser-based, no sign-up.
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Free Online Color Picker & Converter
Our color picker lets you work with any color format used in web and graphic design. Convert colors between HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK instantly, generate harmonious color palettes based on color theory, check WCAG contrast ratios for accessibility, and copy ready-to-use CSS codes for your projects.
Color Models Explained
HEX uses hexadecimal notation (#FF5733), the most common format in CSS and web design. RGB defines colors with Red, Green, and Blue values (0-255), the native model for digital displays. HSL describes colors by Hue (0-360), Saturation, and Lightness (0-100%), a more intuitive model for color adjustments. CMYK is used in professional printing, defining colors with Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black).
Palette Generation
Generate harmonious color palettes automatically: complementary, analogous, triadic, and more. Each palette is based on color theory principles to ensure visually pleasing combinations. Ideal for designing interfaces, branding, and marketing materials.
WCAG Accessibility & Contrast
WCAG 2.1 guidelines require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. Our tool automatically calculates these ratios and shows whether your color combination meets AA and AAA levels. Building accessible designs is not just good practice - it is a legal requirement in many countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I convert HEX to RGB?
- Enter your HEX code (e.g. #FF5733) in the color picker and you'll instantly see the equivalent RGB, HSL, and CMYK values. You can also copy the CSS code directly.
- What is WCAG contrast?
- WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) defines minimum contrast ratios between text and background to ensure readability. A 4.5:1 ratio is the minimum for normal text (AA level) and 7:1 for AAA.
- Is the color picker free?
- Yes, the color picker is 100% free. All processing happens in your browser without sending data to any server.
- Can I generate color palettes?
- Yes, you can generate complementary, analogous, triadic, and more palettes from any base color.
Professional Design Tools
Once you have the right HEX or palette from the picker above, these are the design apps we use to turn colors into finished work - UI mockups, illustrations, and brand assets.
Top pick
Canva Pro - Design Platform
Best for: professional design with brand color palettes, templates, and AI-powered tools for any project
Professional design with brand color palettes, templates, and AI-powered tools for any project.
Try Canva Pro→Best value
Figma - Collaborative Design
Best for: design, prototype, and collaborate in real-time
Design, prototype, and collaborate in real-time. Color systems, design tokens, and team libraries.
Try Figma→Strong alternative
Coolors - Color Palette Generator
Best for: generate perfect color palettes in seconds
Generate perfect color palettes in seconds. Explore trends, extract from images, and export anywhere.
Try Coolors→We may earn a commission through affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
Recommendations are chosen for fit with the use case; not every recommendation depends on an affiliate relationship.
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