RGB to CMYK converter: from screen colors to print
Type a HEX, RGB or CMYK code and the other formats show up right away, with a CMYK estimate for offset printing and a warning if the color will print duller.
HEX, RGB or CMYK: #1FA84F, 31 168 79 or C80 M0 Y90 K0
If your printer wants CMYK, ask which profile they use. Our values are for standard offset (FOGRA39), so theirs may differ.
RGB vs CMYK in two sentences
RGB mixes light: it is how screens and web files make color. CMYK layers four inks, cyan, magenta, yellow and black (the K stands for “key”): it is how a printing press makes color.
Why two converters give different CMYK values
The simple formula found on many sites divides each RGB value by 255 and ignores paper and ink. A print profile takes them into account. Here, the conversion uses the standard offset profile FOGRA39 (coated paper), with black and grays in black ink only, the way printers prefer it for a logo.
The result is still an estimate. Your printer’s profile is the one that counts: in the US it is often GRACoL or SWOP, and textile printing has its own rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert RGB to CMYK?
Type the three RGB values (for example 31 168 79) or the HEX code: the estimated CMYK appears right away. Copy it in one click.
Why doesn’t my CMYK match Photoshop or Illustrator?
Photoshop and Illustrator use the CMYK profile chosen in their Color Settings. In the US the default is often U.S. Web Coated (SWOP) v2, not FOGRA39 like ours. Both are estimates: your printer’s profile is the one that counts.
Why is black C0 M0 Y0 K100?
For a logo, black in a single ink stays sharp, with no risk of the four inks printing slightly misaligned. For a large solid area, your printer may prefer a rich black.
What is a HEX code, and how do I convert it to CMYK?
A HEX code (#1FA84F) writes the three RGB values in hexadecimal: 1F for red, A8 for green, 4F for blue. It is the same color in another form, so paste it straight into the converter to get its CMYK estimate.
What about Pantone?
Pantone references are protected, so we don’t give any Pantone match. Give your printer the HEX and the CMYK estimate: they will pick the reference from their swatch book. You can also check pantone.com. PANTONE® is a trademark of Pantone LLC.
Sources and license: CMYK is calculated with Little CMS and the FOGRA39L Coated profile (free data from colord, zlib license), for offset printing on coated paper. Color differences are measured in CIEDE2000.