Enter a CMYK color below to get the exact RGB value instantly, plus every other format, right in your browser.
When you need CMYK to RGB
Brand guides written for print list colors as four percentages, but a website, slide deck or app needs RGB. Converting CMYK to RGB gives you a first on-screen version of a color from a business card, brochure or package. Treat the result as a starting point: compare it with the printed sample in daylight and adjust by eye. The formula knows nothing about paper or ink, so it cannot promise a full match with the printed piece.
Typical uses
- Rebuilding a brochure or packaging color as a web background when the brand guide lists only CMYK values.
- Turning InDesign or Illustrator swatch percentages into screen colors for a slide template.
- Reading an old print spec sheet to recreate a color in a CSS file.
How to convert CMYK to RGB
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.
Worked example
- R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0.7) × (1 − 0.15) = 65
- G = 255 × (1 − M) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0) × (1 − 0.15) = 217
- B = 255 × (1 − Y) × (1 − K) = 255 × (1 − 0.5) × (1 − 0.15) = 108
cmyk(70%, 0%, 50%, 15%) = rgb(65, 217, 108)
Tip: If the brand guide includes an official HEX or RGB, use that for the web and keep this result only for comparison. When only CMYK is given, convert it, then compare the swatch with a printed sample in daylight before sharing it.
Common colors: CMYK to RGB
| Color | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Red | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(255, 0, 0) |
| Orange | cmyk(0%, 35%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(255, 165, 0) |
| Yellow | cmyk(0%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(255, 255, 0) |
| Lime | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Green | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 50%) | rgb(0, 128, 0) |
| Cyan | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(0, 255, 255) |
| Teal | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | rgb(0, 128, 128) |
| Blue | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(0, 0, 255) |
| Navy | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | rgb(0, 0, 128) |
| Purple | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%) | rgb(128, 0, 128) |
| Magenta | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(255, 0, 255) |
| Pink | cmyk(0%, 25%, 20%, 0%) | rgb(255, 192, 203) |
| Brown | cmyk(0%, 75%, 75%, 35%) | rgb(165, 42, 42) |
| Gray | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) | rgb(128, 128, 128) |
| Black | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) | rgb(0, 0, 0) |
| White | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
Frequently asked questions
In which units should I enter the percentages?
Enter each channel as a percentage from 0 to 100, as print specifications list them. Some software writes CMYK as fractions from 0 to 1 or as numbers up to 255, so convert those to percent first: 0.25 means 25%.
What if the brand guide lists a spot color name next to the CMYK values?
This converter uses only the four numbers, not the name. A spot ink belongs to a separate system, so its CMYK equivalent is an approximation. Check whether the guide also gives an official HEX or RGB for screens, and prefer that value.
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.
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