RGB to CMYK Converter
Convert RGB colors to CMYK percentages for print. Enter RGB values, a HEX code, or pick visually. Live preview shows the actual color.
infoCMYK Explained
C (Cyan): Blue-green ink
M (Magenta): Pink-red ink
Y (Yellow): Yellow ink
K (Key/Black): Black ink
0% means no ink, 100% means full ink coverage for that channel.
What is the RGB to CMYK Converter?
An RGB to CMYK converter translates a screen color (defined by red, green, and blue intensities) into the four ink percentages a printer uses (cyan, magenta, yellow, key/black). The math is straightforward; the catch is that RGB can describe colors that don't exist in CMYK at all, so vivid neons and saturated blues come out duller in print.
How to use the RGB to CMYK Converter
- 1
Set your color
Drop a HEX code into the HEX field, type RGB values directly, or click the swatch to use your operating system's color picker.
- 2
Read the CMYK percentages
C, M, Y, and K appear below as percentages from 0 to 100. 0% means no ink for that channel; 100% means full coverage.
- 3
Note any out-of-gamut shift
Vivid digital colors (neon green, electric blue, saturated purple) sit outside the CMYK gamut. The converter still gives the closest match, but expect a duller print.
- 4
Copy the value you need
Copy buttons next to each row put the CSS-style string ("cmyk(85%, 47%, 0%, 4%)") on your clipboard, ready for your design tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why convert RGB to CMYK?
Screens emit light in red, green, and blue. Printers lay down cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink. To predict how a digital color will look on paper, you have to translate it into the printer's color space. Print shops typically reject files that haven't been converted.
How accurate is the conversion?
Mathematically precise for the standard formula, but real-world print accuracy depends on the printer's specific ICC profile, the paper stock, and the ink. Use this converter for early design decisions and ask your print shop for a proof before approving a long run.
Can I enter HEX colors?
Yes. The HEX field accepts six-digit codes with or without the leading #. Typing or pasting updates RGB and CMYK in lockstep, so you can read the print equivalent of any web color.