RGB to CMYK Converter
Convert RGB values to CMYK percentages for professional printing. Get accurate color values for brochures, business cards, and other printed materials.
Synchronized color
#3B82F6Parsed as RGB; malformed or out-of-range channels are rejected, never silently clamped.
Integer or percentage RGB, modern or legacy CSS, Hex with optional alpha, HSL, HSV, OKLCH, LAB, LCH, CMYK, or a CSS name.
Adjust channels
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?color=3B82F6One input, implementation-ready output
Color workspace
Hex
#RRGGBB
#3B82F6CSS RGB
Modern space syntax
rgb(59 130 246)Legacy RGB
Comma syntax
rgb(59, 130, 246)RGB %
Percentage channels
rgb(23.1% 51% 96.5%)HSL
CSS hue, saturation, lightness
hsl(217 91% 60%)HSV / HSB
Design-tool model
hsv(217, 76%, 96%)OKLCH
Perceptual CSS color
oklch(62.3% 0.188 259.8)LAB
CSS Lab, D50
lab(54.62% 8.76 -65.79)LCH
CSS LCH, D50
lch(54.62% 66.37 277.59)CMYK
Unprofiled approximation
cmyk(76%, 47%, 0%, 4%)How to Convert RGB to CMYK
RGB is additive — channels add light to black. CMYK is subtractive — inks remove light from white. The formula inverts each channel, then factors the shared minimum out into the black plate.
- Normalize each channel to 0-1 by dividing by 255.
- Find the black component: K = 1 - max(R', G', B'). This is the ink that all three would otherwise duplicate.
- Remove K from each channel: C = (1 - R' - K) / (1 - K), M = (1 - G' - K) / (1 - K), Y = (1 - B' - K) / (1 - K).
- Guard the K = 1 case: pure black gives a zero denominator, so set C, M, and Y to 0 directly.
- Round each to a whole percentage. This is device-independent maths, not a colour-managed conversion — a real press needs an ICC profile.
Example: convert rgb(0, 128, 192) to CMYK
R' = 0.000, G' = 0.502, B' = 0.753
K = 1 - 0.753 = 0.247 -> 25%
C = (1 - 0.000 - 0.247) / 0.753 = 1.000 -> 100%
M = (1 - 0.502 - 0.247) / 0.753 = 0.333 -> 33%
Y = (1 - 0.753 - 0.247) / 0.753 = 0.000 -> 0%
Result: cmyk(100%, 33%, 0%, 25%)
How to Use the RGB to CMYK Converter
Input your RGB values in any common format and get instant CMYK percentages. Adjust individual color channels using sliders for precise control. The live preview shows how your color will appear, and you can copy values in any format.
RGB vs CMYK Color Models
RGB is an additive color model where colors are created by adding light. CMYK is subtractive, where colors are created by absorbing light. This fundamental difference means that the same color values will look different on screen versus in print, and conversion between the two requires careful consideration.
Common Use Cases
Useful for early print-planning notes and for understanding how screen channels map to ink percentages. Production PDFs, ink coverage, and brand-critical output still require the printer profile, paper stock, proofing, and vendor guidance.
RGB to CMYK Conversion Table
RGB, hex, and CMYK values for the most commonly used colors. Click any hex code to load it into the converter above.
| Color | Name | Hex | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | #000000 | rgb(0, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) | |
| White | #FFFFFF | rgb(255, 255, 255) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | |
| Red | #FF0000 | rgb(255, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) | |
| Lime | #00FF00 | rgb(0, 255, 0) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | |
| Blue | #0000FF | rgb(0, 0, 255) | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | |
| Yellow | #FFFF00 | rgb(255, 255, 0) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | |
| Cyan | #00FFFF | rgb(0, 255, 255) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | |
| Magenta | #FF00FF | rgb(255, 0, 255) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | |
| Silver | #C0C0C0 | rgb(192, 192, 192) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 25%) | |
| Gray | #808080 | rgb(128, 128, 128) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | |
| Maroon | #800000 | rgb(128, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 50%) | |
| Olive | #808000 | rgb(128, 128, 0) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 100%, 50%) | |
| Green | #008000 | rgb(0, 128, 0) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 50%) | |
| Purple | #800080 | rgb(128, 0, 128) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | |
| Teal | #008080 | rgb(0, 128, 128) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | |
| Navy | #000080 | rgb(0, 0, 128) | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | |
| Orange | #FFA500 | rgb(255, 165, 0) | cmyk(0%, 35%, 100%, 0%) | |
| Pink | #FFC0CB | rgb(255, 192, 203) | cmyk(0%, 25%, 20%, 0%) | |
| Gold | #FFD700 | rgb(255, 215, 0) | cmyk(0%, 16%, 100%, 0%) | |
| Brown | #A52A2A | rgb(165, 42, 42) | cmyk(0%, 75%, 75%, 35%) | |
| Coral | #FF7F50 | rgb(255, 127, 80) | cmyk(0%, 50%, 69%, 0%) | |
| Indigo | #4B0082 | rgb(75, 0, 130) | cmyk(42%, 100%, 0%, 49%) | |
| Violet | #EE82EE | rgb(238, 130, 238) | cmyk(0%, 45%, 0%, 7%) | |
| Salmon | #FA8072 | rgb(250, 128, 114) | cmyk(0%, 49%, 54%, 2%) |
Need a value that is not listed? Browse the full color library — every hex code has a page with its RGB, HSL, CMYK and OKLCH values, contrast ratios, tints, shades and matching palette colors.
Frequently Asked Questions about RGB to CMYK Converter
While all RGB colors can be mathematically converted to CMYK, not all can be accurately reproduced in print. Very bright or saturated colors may appear duller when printed.
For rich black in print, use C:75 M:68 Y:67 K:90 rather than just K:100. Pure black (0,0,0,100) can appear grayish. For text, however, 100% K is preferred to avoid registration issues.
Mathematical conversions provide good approximations, but actual print results depend on paper type, ink quality, and printer calibration. Always request a proof print for critical color matching.
The CMYK gamut is the range of colors that can be reproduced with process printing inks. It's smaller than the RGB gamut, particularly for bright greens, oranges, and blues.
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