Color Picker Tool

Select, convert, and extract colors with our free online color picker. Get HEX, RGB, HSL codes instantly and create beautiful color palettes.

Color Values

HEX: #3498db
RGB: rgb(52, 152, 219)
RGBA: rgba(52, 152, 219, 1)
HSL: hsl(204, 70%, 53%)
HSLA: hsla(204, 70%, 53%, 1)
Recently Used Colors
Tip: Click on any color code to copy it to your clipboard. Use the color picker or sliders to select your desired color.

How Color Picker Works

Our color picker tool helps you select, convert, and extract colors for your design projects. Here's how to use it effectively:

Step 1: Choose Your Color

You can select colors in multiple ways:

  • Use the color picker for visual selection
  • Enter HEX values directly
  • Adjust RGB sliders for precise control
  • Use the random color generator for inspiration

Step 2: Get Color Codes

The tool automatically converts your selected color to multiple formats:

  • HEX: Web-standard hexadecimal format
  • RGB: Red, Green, Blue values
  • HSL: Hue, Saturation, Lightness
  • Plus alpha channel versions (RGBA, HSLA)

All color codes are instantly updated as you make changes. Click on any code to copy it to your clipboard for use in your projects.

Color Theory Basics

Understanding Color Models

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model used for digital displays. HEX codes are hexadecimal representations of RGB values. HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is often more intuitive for designers to work with.

Color Harmony

Creating harmonious color schemes is key to good design. Common approaches include complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel), analogous colors (neighbors on the wheel), and triadic colors (evenly spaced around the wheel).

Accessibility Matters

Ensure sufficient color contrast for readability. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text. Use online contrast checkers to verify your color choices.

Psychology of Color

Colors evoke emotions and associations. Blue often represents trust and professionalism, red conveys energy and urgency, green suggests growth and nature, while yellow communicates optimism and creativity.

Color Picker Use Cases

Web Designers

Quickly pick and convert colors for website themes, buttons, and UI elements. Ensure consistency across your design system with precise color values.

Graphic Designers

Extract colors from inspiration images and convert between color models for different design applications and print materials.

Developers

Get accurate color codes for CSS, JavaScript, and other programming languages. Convert between different color formats as needed.

Digital Marketers

Maintain brand consistency across digital campaigns by using precise color values from brand guidelines.

Content Creators

Create visually appealing social media graphics, videos, and presentations with harmonious color schemes.

Students & Educators

Learn about color theory and practice working with different color models in a practical, interactive tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between RGB and HEX color codes? +

RGB and HEX are two different ways to represent the same color information. RGB uses three numbers (0-255) for Red, Green, and Blue components. HEX uses a six-digit hexadecimal code (plus optional two digits for alpha) that represents the same RGB values in a compact format. For example, rgb(255, 0, 0) is the same as #FF0000 (pure red).

When should I use HSL instead of RGB? +

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is often easier for designers to work with because it's more intuitive. If you want to create variations of a color (lighter, darker, or less saturated), HSL makes this simpler than RGB. For example, to make a color lighter in HSL, you just increase the lightness value, while in RGB you need to adjust all three components.

What is the alpha channel in RGBA and HSLA? +

The alpha channel represents opacity or transparency. It's a value between 0 (completely transparent) and 1 (completely opaque). RGBA and HSLA color formats include this alpha value, allowing you to create semi-transparent colors that can overlay other elements. This is particularly useful for modern web design with overlays, modals, and glassmorphism effects.

How do I ensure my color choices are accessible? +

To ensure accessibility:

  • Check contrast ratios between text and background colors
  • Avoid using color alone to convey information
  • Test your designs with color blindness simulators
  • Follow WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards
  • Provide sufficient color contrast (at least 4.5:1 for normal text)

Can I extract colors from images with this tool? +

While this specific tool doesn't include image color extraction, there are dedicated tools for that purpose. However, you can use this color picker to manually match colors from images by using the visual color selector and adjusting the sliders until you achieve the desired color match.

Why are there different color models? +

Different color models serve different purposes:

  • RGB: Optimized for digital displays (additive color)
  • CMYK: Used for printing (subtractive color)
  • HSL: Intuitive for human perception and design work
  • HEX: Compact representation for web development
Each model has its strengths depending on the context and application.

How can I create a harmonious color palette? +

To create harmonious color palettes:

  • Start with a base color and use color theory principles
  • Try complementary colors (opposites on the color wheel)
  • Use analogous colors (neighbors on the wheel)
  • Experiment with triadic schemes (three evenly spaced colors)
  • Vary saturation and lightness for contrast and hierarchy
  • Limit your palette to 3-5 main colors for consistency

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