Professional Color Reference

View HEX, RGB, HSL and CMYK codes for every color in your wheel. Copy codes in one click, then generate a professional printable color chart.

Select a color from the list to view its professional codes.

🖨️ Printable Color Chart

Printed colors may look different depending on your printer, ink, paper and color profile. For critical production work, compare against a physical color reference or printer proof. CMYK values shown are calculated conversions, not guaranteed exact print values.

Understanding Color Codes

Every color on a screen or in a print job is described using a color model. The four models shown in this tool cover the vast majority of professional workflows: digital design, web development, print production and art.

HEX Commonly used for websites, CSS, and digital design tools. A six-character hexadecimal string — e.g., #FF3B5C.
RGB Red, Green, Blue. The native model for screens and digital displays. Values range from 0 to 255 for each channel.
HSL Hue, Saturation, Lightness. A more intuitive model for adjusting colors — useful for theming, tinting and CSS color functions.
CMYK Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black. The model used in process (four-color) printing. Values shown are calculated conversions from RGB.
Pantone / PMS A standardized spot-color system used in professional print workflows. Pantone matching requires a licensed reference. Calculated conversions cannot guarantee an exact Pantone match.

How Color Conversion Works

HEX and RGB are two representations of the same value: the HEX string #FF3B5C encodes the same color as RGB rgb(255, 59, 92). Converting between them is lossless. Converting to HSL or CMYK applies a mathematical formula that gives a useful approximation for the intended use. Converting to CMYK from RGB is particularly useful as a starting point for print production, but the output should always be verified against a printer proof.

Tips for Printing Colors

Use the printable color chart as a reference sheet for design work, classroom activities or client presentations. When colors need to match exactly in production print, always request a printed proof from your print vendor before signing off. Screen colors and printed colors can differ significantly depending on the paper stock, ink type and color management settings.

For critical brand work, compare the chart against a physical Pantone swatch book or a printed color profile supplied by your vendor.

Using This Tool in Professional Workflows

Designers can use the Copy buttons to transfer HEX values directly into tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Figma and Sketch. Web developers can copy CSS-ready rgb() or hsl() values. Print designers can use the CMYK values as a starting reference for process color jobs.

Explore More Color Tools

Looking for a quick random color? Try the Color Wheel Spinner to generate and explore colors interactively. For children learning color names through play, see the Kids Color Balloon Game. For printable color activities for classrooms, visit the Printable Color Activity Book.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a HEX color code?

A HEX color code is a six-character string preceded by a # symbol. It represents a color using hexadecimal numbers, where the first two characters are red, the next two are green and the last two are blue. For example, #FF0000 is pure red: maximum red (FF), no green (00), no blue (00).

How is CMYK calculated from HEX or RGB?

The CMYK values shown here are calculated using a standard mathematical conversion from RGB. Because screen color (RGB) and print color (CMYK) use different models — additive vs. subtractive — the CMYK output is an approximation. Actual printed colors depend on the specific printer, ink set, paper and color management profile used.

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?

RGB mixes light to create color (screens, projectors). CMYK mixes ink to absorb light and produce color (printers). A vivid neon color that looks bright on screen may appear much less saturated when printed with CMYK ink, because the print process cannot reproduce colors outside the CMYK gamut.

Can I see Pantone codes here?

No. This tool shows HEX, RGB, HSL and CMYK values only. Pantone (PMS) matching requires an officially licensed Pantone reference. A calculated conversion from RGB or HEX to Pantone is not an exact match and should not be used for production printing or brand specifications without verification against a physical Pantone swatch.

Why do colors look different when I print them?

Screens use light to display color while printers use ink. The color profiles, paper type and ink set all affect how a color appears on paper. For the most accurate results, request a printed proof from your vendor and compare it against the desired color reference before printing a full run.

Are these the same colors as my Color Wheel Spinner?

Yes. The Professional Color Reference reads your color list automatically from your browser. Any custom colors you have added, renamed or reordered in the Color Wheel Spinner will appear here too — no extra setup needed.