BoxNovo

CMYK, RGB & HEX Color Converter for Print

Convert any colour between HEX, RGB, CMYK, HSL, HSB and CIELAB, then check it for print: total ink, rich black, colours that may print duller, and text contrast. Pick colours from your logo or screen and build a palette to send with your packaging order.

  • HEX, RGB, CMYK, HSL, HSB and Lab
  • Ink limit and rich black check
  • Pick from an image or your screen
Colour inputs

Enter or pick a colour

HEX, rgb(), hsl(), cmyk(), four CMYK numbers or a CSS colour name such as steelblue.

Edit any format

RGB (0–255)

CMYK (%)

HSL

HSB / HSV

Print settings

Sets the total ink limit the check uses. Your printer’s own limit always wins.

Black and rich black builds

Pick colours from an image (optional)

Use your logo or a photo of your product. Click the image or a main colour to use it. The image is read in your browser and never uploaded.

Your colour

#0B7D80

Closest CSS name: teal (ΔE 1.7)

HEX
#0B7D80
RGB
rgb(11, 125, 128)
CMYK
91 / 2 / 0 / 50
HSL
hsl(182, 84%, 27%)
HSB / HSV
182°, 91%, 50%
CIELAB (D50)
L 47.1, a -28.5, b -10.3

CMYK from the standard formula. Your printer converts with the profile for their press and paper, so treat it as a starting point.

Print check

Total ink (TAC)
143% of 300% limit

No print issues found for this colour.

Text contrast (WCAG 2.2)

Aa White text

4.93:1

Pass AAPass AA largeFail AAA

Aa Black text

4.25:1

Fail AAPass AA largeFail AAA

Show the formulas
  1. HEX #0B7D80 = RGB 11, 125, 128 (each pair of hex digits is one channel, 00–FF = 0–255)
  2. K = 1 − max(R, G, B) = 1 − max(0.043, 0.49, 0.502) = 0.498
  3. C = (1 − R − K) ÷ (1 − K), and the same for M with G and Y with B → CMYK 91 / 2 / 0 / 50
  4. Total ink = C + M + Y + K = 143%
  5. Contrast = (L1 + 0.05) ÷ (L2 + 0.05), with relative luminance L = 0.2126 R + 0.7152 G + 0.0722 B on linear sRGB → white 4.93:1, black 4.26:1
  6. CIELAB from sRGB with D50 white (Bradford adapted) → L 47.1, a -28.5, b -10.3

Use your results

The quote button copies your colour values and palette for the Packaging Specifications field. Nothing is sent until you submit the form yourself.

View the full specification
BoxNovo colour specification

HEX: #0B7D80
RGB: 11, 125, 128
CMYK: 91 / 2 / 0 / 50 (standard formula; confirm with your printer)
HSL: 182, 84%, 27%
HSB: 182°, 91%, 50%
CIELAB (D50): L 47.1, a -28.5, b -10.3
Total ink: 143% (limit used: 300%, coated paper or board)
Contrast: white text 4.93:1, black text 4.26:1

Screen and print colours differ. Request a printed proof for brand-critical colours.
Converted with https://boxnovo.com/tools/cmyk-rgb-hex-converter/

Related colours

Select any swatch to use it.

Tints and shades

Complementary

Analogous

Triadic

Split complementary

Your palette

Add colours to build a palette you can copy or print with all values.

About these results

  • HEX, RGB, HSL and HSB are exact conversions of the same screen colour. CIELAB is calculated from sRGB with a D50 white point, as print software uses.
  • CMYK uses the standard formula most converters use. It is a good starting point, not a press match: printers convert with an ICC profile for their press and paper, which gives different numbers.
  • For brand-critical colours, ask for a printed proof or use a spot colour.
  • Everything is calculated in your browser. Colours and images are not saved or uploaded.

How to convert RGB to CMYK

  1. Divide R, G and B by 255 to get values from 0 to 1.
  2. K = 1 − max(R, G, B)
  3. C = (1 − R − K) ÷ (1 − K), M = (1 − G − K) ÷ (1 − K), Y = (1 − B − K) ÷ (1 − K)
  4. Multiply by 100 for percentages.

Example: #0B7D80 is RGB 11, 125, 128, or 0.043, 0.490 and 0.502. K = 1 − 0.502 = 0.498. C = (1 − 0.043 − 0.498) ÷ 0.502 = 0.91, M = 0.02 and Y = 0, so the CMYK is 91 / 2 / 0 / 50.

How to convert CMYK to RGB and HEX

R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K)  ·  G = 255 × (1 − M) × (1 − K)  ·  B = 255 × (1 − Y) × (1 − K)

Then write each of R, G and B as a two-digit hexadecimal number to get the HEX code. For example, CMYK 0/100/100/0 gives RGB 255, 0, 0, which is #FF0000, and CMYK 91/2/0/50 gives RGB 11, 125, 128, which is #0B7D80.

Going from CMYK to RGB and back does not always return the same CMYK: many CMYK builds, such as rich black and flat black, show as the same colour on screen.

Common colours in HEX, RGB and CMYK

Standard formula conversions
ColourHEXRGBCMYK
Black#0000000, 0, 00 / 0 / 0 / 100
White#FFFFFF255, 255, 2550 / 0 / 0 / 0
Red#FF0000255, 0, 00 / 100 / 100 / 0
Green (lime)#00FF000, 255, 0100 / 0 / 100 / 0
Blue#0000FF0, 0, 255100 / 100 / 0 / 0
Cyan#00FFFF0, 255, 255100 / 0 / 0 / 0
Magenta#FF00FF255, 0, 2550 / 100 / 0 / 0
Yellow#FFFF00255, 255, 00 / 0 / 100 / 0
Grey 50%#808080128, 128, 1280 / 0 / 0 / 50
Orange#FFA500255, 165, 00 / 35 / 100 / 0
Navy#0000800, 0, 128100 / 100 / 0 / 50
Purple#800080128, 0, 1280 / 100 / 0 / 50
Teal#0080800, 128, 128100 / 0 / 0 / 50
Brown#A52A2A165, 42, 420 / 75 / 75 / 35

Why colours look different in print

  • Screens add light; ink absorbs it. RGB screens can show brighter, more saturated colours than four process inks can print.
  • Bright blues, neon greens and vivid oranges shift most. Fluorescent colours have no CMYK equivalent at all.
  • Paper changes colour. Uncoated and kraft board absorb ink and print darker and duller than coated stock.
  • Profiles decide the numbers. The same RGB colour converts to different CMYK values for different presses and papers.
  • Spot colours stay consistent. For a logo colour that must match every time, ask about a spot (premixed) ink.

Rich black, flat black and total ink limits

Common black builds
BuildCMYKTotal inkUse for
Flat black (text)0 / 0 / 0 / 100100%Text, thin lines and fine detail
Rich black60 / 40 / 40 / 100240%Large solid areas and big headings
Rich black, uncoated40 / 30 / 30 / 100200%Large solid areas on uncoated stock
Cool rich black60 / 30 / 30 / 100220%A cooler, blue-toned black
Warm rich black40 / 60 / 40 / 100240%A warmer black

Total ink, or total area coverage (TAC), is C + M + Y + K. Printers set a limit so ink dries and does not set off: around 300% on coated stock, about 260% on uncoated and about 240% on newsprint or lightweight web stock are typical figures. Ask your printer for their exact limit.

Build greys from black ink alone, such as 0/0/0/40. Greys mixed from cyan, magenta and yellow can drift pink or green during a print run.

Text contrast

The converter checks white and black text against your colour with the WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio. A ratio of at least 4.5:1 passes AA for normal text, 3:1 passes AA for large text, and 7:1 passes AAA. It is a web standard, but high contrast also keeps small print on packaging readable.

Colour conversion FAQ

How do I convert RGB to CMYK?

Enter the RGB values above. The standard formula is K = 1 − max(R, G, B), then C = (1 − R − K) ÷ (1 − K) and the same for M and Y, with R, G and B from 0 to 1.

How do I convert CMYK to HEX?

Convert CMYK to RGB with R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K) and the same for G and B, then write each value as two hex digits. For example, CMYK 0/100/100/0 is #FF0000.

Why do online converters give different CMYK values from Photoshop?

Online converters, including this one, use a simple formula. Photoshop and printers convert with an ICC profile for a specific press and paper, such as GRACoL or FOGRA39, which gives different numbers. Use the formula as a starting point and let your printer convert final artwork.

Will my RGB colour look the same when printed?

Not always. Bright, saturated screen colours, especially electric blues and neon greens, often print duller because CMYK inks cannot reach them. Ask for a printed proof for important colours.

What is rich black?

Black ink with some cyan, magenta and yellow added, such as 60/40/40/100, to print a deeper black on large areas. Use flat black 0/0/0/100 for small text and thin lines.

What is total ink coverage?

The sum of C, M, Y and K. Rich black 60/40/40/100 is 240%. Printers limit it, often around 300% on coated paper and lower on uncoated stock.

What is the HEX code for black in CMYK?

Flat black 0/0/0/100 and rich black 60/40/40/100 both show as #000000 with the standard formula, because K = 100% already gives zero light. They print differently.

What is CIELAB used for?

CIELAB describes a colour independently of any screen or press, which makes it the common reference when printers match and measure colours. Lab values here use the D50 white point used in printing.

What is the difference between HSL and HSB?

Both describe hue, saturation and lightness or brightness. HSB, also called HSV, is used in Photoshop and Illustrator colour pickers; HSL is common in CSS.

Can I get colours from my logo?

Yes. Choose your logo file in step 4 and click it or one of its main colours. In Chrome and Edge you can also pick any colour on your screen.

Does this converter give Pantone colours?

No. Pantone colours are a proprietary system; use an official Pantone guide to find the closest match and tell your printer the reference.

Can I send my colours with a quote request?

Yes. Add colours to your palette and select Get a quote with these colours to copy them into the Packaging Specifications field.