How to Pick and Convert Colors
Use the color picker to visually choose a color, or enter a specific value in HEX, RGB, or HSL format.
The tool shows your color in HEX, RGB, and HSL simultaneously.
Click Copy next to any format to use it in your CSS or design tool.
What Is a Color Picker?
A color picker helps designers and developers select, preview, and convert colors between different formats. HEX codes are used in web development and CSS; RGB values define colors by mixing light intensities; HSL represents colors by hue, saturation, and lightness — more intuitive for creating color variations. Converting between these formats is essential for working across different design tools and CSS frameworks.
When Do You Need a Color Picker?
Web developers convert between HEX and RGB for CSS properties. UI designers sample colors from mockups to get exact CSS values. Brand managers verify digital colors match brand guidelines. Front-end developers generate HSL variations for hover states and backgrounds. Accessibility consultants check color contrast ratios for WCAG compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HEX and RGB?
They represent the same color model in different number systems. HEX uses base-16, RGB uses base-10. #FF0000 and rgb(255, 0, 0) are both pure red.
When should I use HSL instead of HEX?
HSL is ideal for creating color variations — easily adjust lightness or saturation, which is not intuitive in HEX or RGB.
What does the alpha channel mean?
Alpha controls transparency, from 0 (fully transparent) to 1 (fully opaque). Used in rgba() and hsla() CSS functions.
Can I pick colors from my screen?
On supported browsers (Chrome, Edge), you can use the EyeDropper API to pick any color on screen.