Enter a CMYK color below to get the exact HEX value instantly, plus every other format, right in your browser.
When you need CMYK to HEX
When the color of a printed brochure is needed in a stylesheet, an HTML email or a slide theme, the destination is usually a single HEX string. This page skips the middle step: enter the four percentages and get a code ready to paste into a CSS variable, a Figma style or a brand sheet. It helps web teams that receive print-only briefs from agencies and want readable values without opening InDesign. Expect an on-screen approximation, not a profile-checked match.
Typical uses
- Pasting a print agency color into a --brand-accent CSS custom property in the site stylesheet.
- Filling the custom color box in PowerPoint, Google Slides or Canva with a HEX code derived from a CMYK spec.
- Producing a first HEX for an HTML email template based on the colors of a printed newsletter.
How to convert CMYK to HEX
Normalize R, G and B to 0-1. The black key is K = 1 − max(R′, G′, B′). The remaining channels are C = (1 − R′ − K) / (1 − K), M = (1 − G′ − K) / (1 − K) and Y = (1 − B′ − K) / (1 − K).
The reverse conversion is R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K), and likewise G from M and B from Y. Note that this is the standard formula conversion: real print output depends on the ICC profile of the press, inks and paper, so treat the result as a starting point, not a color-managed match.
HEX values go through RGB first: split the code into three base-16 pairs, then apply the formulas.
Worked example
CMYK to RGB
- R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0) × (1 − 0.15) = 217
- G = 255 × (1 − M) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0.25) × (1 − 0.15) = 163
- B = 255 × (1 − Y) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0.95) × (1 − 0.15) = 11
RGB to HEX
- R: 217 ÷ 16 = 13, remainder 9 → D9
- G: 163 ÷ 16 = 10, remainder 3 → A3
- B: 11 ÷ 16 = 0, remainder 11 → 0B
cmyk(0%, 25%, 95%, 15%) = #D9A30B
Tip: Record the CMYK source and the HEX result in one token file under separate names, such as brand-blue-print and brand-blue-web. Then any later change on either side is visible, and nobody has to guess which value came first.
Common colors: CMYK to HEX
| Color | CMYK | HEX |
|---|---|---|
| Red | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) | #FF0000 |
| Orange | cmyk(0%, 35%, 100%, 0%) | #FFA500 |
| Yellow | cmyk(0%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | #FFFF00 |
| Lime | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | #00FF00 |
| Green | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 50%) | #008000 |
| Cyan | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | #00FFFF |
| Teal | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | #008080 |
| Blue | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | #0000FF |
| Navy | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | #000080 |
| Purple | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | #800080 |
| Magenta | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | #FF00FF |
| Pink | cmyk(0%, 25%, 20%, 0%) | #FFC0CB |
| Brown | cmyk(0%, 75%, 75%, 35%) | #A52A2A |
| Gray | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | #808080 |
| Black | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) | #000000 |
| White | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | #FFFFFF |
Frequently asked questions
Can the same CMYK values give a different HEX in another tool?
Yes, if the other tool applies an ICC profile or a different conversion method. This page uses the plain formula, so the same four numbers always give the same HEX here, while Photoshop with a press profile may return a duller result.
How do I check that the HEX looks like the printed sample?
View the HEX on a bright screen with a neutral white point and compare it with the sample in daylight, not under a warm bulb. If the screen looks more vivid, lower the saturation slightly in HSL and store the adjusted value in the brand sheet.
Why does the printed color look different from my screen?
Screens mix light (additive RGB) while print mixes inks (subtractive CMYK), and the printable gamut is narrower. The exact result depends on the ICC profile, inks and paper; this converter uses the standard formula without color management, so treat it as an approximation.
What is the K channel?
K is the key (black) plate. Printing black with a dedicated ink instead of mixing 100% cyan, magenta and yellow gives deeper blacks, sharper text and saves ink.
Can I use CMYK in CSS?
No, the web works in RGB. Convert CMYK values to HEX or RGB before using them on a website; that is exactly what this tool does.
More color converters
Need to grab a color from an image or screenshot? Try the free Pixel Color Picker →