ImageColorPicker.com

HEX to CMYK converter

Convert any HEX color to CMYK, instantly and for free

#E74C3C

Paste any color value. We detect the format for you.

CMYK result
Cyan
1%
Magenta
81%
Yellow
76%
Key (black)
0%

CMYK profile: Coated FOGRA39 (Photoshop's default for Europe)

This color in every format

Screens mix light, printers mix ink, so a HEX code has to be translated before anything goes to press. This converter gives you the cyan, magenta, yellow and key percentages that match your web color as closely as ink allows.

How HEX to CMYK conversion works

  1. Convert the HEX code to RGB. The channels are read as sRGB values between 0 and 255.
  2. Look the color up in the Coated FOGRA39 profile, the standard ICC profile for coated paper in Europe.
  3. Use the relative colorimetric intent with black point compensation, so white stays paper white and black maps to the darkest ink the press can print.
  4. Round the four ink values to whole percentages. They follow Photoshop's default European CMYK setting.

Worked example

HEX #E74C3C=CMYK cmyk(1%, 81%, 76%, 0%)

Real printing still depends on your paper, ink and press. Other CMYK profiles (for example from your print shop) give different numbers, so always check a proof for brand-critical colors.

HEX and CMYK explained

What is HEX?

A HEX code is a six-digit hexadecimal number that stores the red, green and blue channel of a color behind a leading #. Each pair of digits covers one channel, from 00 (none) to FF (full), which gives the same 16.7 million colors as RGB in a much shorter notation. HEX is the default in CSS, design tools and brand guidelines.

Syntax:
#RRGGBB
Range:
00–FF per channel
Best for:
CSS, design handoff, brand guidelines

What is CMYK?

CMYK is the four-ink model used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), each as a percentage from 0 to 100. Ink subtracts light instead of emitting it, so CMYK covers fewer colors than a screen, which is why bright screen colors often look duller once they are printed.

Syntax:
cmyk(C%, M%, Y%, K%)
Range:
0–100% per ink
Best for:
print, packaging, press-ready artwork

HEX to CMYK reference table

The most common CSS colors, converted from HEX to CMYK.

ColorHEXCMYK
black#000000cmyk(89%, 78%, 62%, 97%)
white#FFFFFFcmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%)
red#FF0000cmyk(0%, 95%, 92%, 0%)
lime#00FF00cmyk(64%, 0%, 100%, 0%)
blue#0000FFcmyk(93%, 75%, 0%, 0%)
yellow#FFFF00cmyk(9%, 0%, 96%, 0%)
orange#FFA500cmyk(0%, 43%, 94%, 0%)
teal#008080cmyk(83%, 27%, 48%, 12%)
purple#800080cmyk(63%, 100%, 4%, 1%)
gray#808080cmyk(48%, 39%, 39%, 21%)

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Frequently asked questions

Convert the HEX code to RGB. The channels are read as sRGB values between 0 and 255. Look the color up in the Coated FOGRA39 profile, the standard ICC profile for coated paper in Europe. Use the relative colorimetric intent with black point compensation, so white stays paper white and black maps to the darkest ink the press can print. Round the four ink values to whole percentages. They follow Photoshop's default European CMYK setting.

Real printing still depends on your paper, ink and press. Other CMYK profiles (for example from your print shop) give different numbers, so always check a proof for brand-critical colors.

CMYK is the four-ink model used in printing: cyan, magenta, yellow and key (black), each as a percentage from 0 to 100. Ink subtracts light instead of emitting it, so CMYK covers fewer colors than a screen, which is why bright screen colors often look duller once they are printed.

Yes. The swap button next to the input takes you to the CMYK to HEX converter, which works exactly the same way. Both directions use the same formula, just applied in reverse.

Use CMYK only for print output: business cards, flyers, packaging. Bright screen colors such as neon greens simply have no ink equivalent and will look duller on paper.