WebToolsPlanet
Converter Tools

HEX to CMYK

Enter a HEX colour code and instantly get its CMYK breakdown as percentages. Useful when adapting web colours for print production, cross-referencing digital and print design systems, or building a colour management workflow.

Last updated: May 28, 2026

Client-Side Processing
Input Data Stays on Device
Instant Local Execution
Something wrong with this tool? Report it

Find this tool useful? Support the project to keep it free!

Buy me a coffee

What is HEX to CMYK?

HEX is the web colour format; CMYK is the print colour model. Converting between them lets you take a digital brand colour and find its approximate print equivalent. The conversion goes HEX → RGB → CMYK using standard mathematical formulas.

Note that HEX/RGB colours are screen-based (additive, larger gamut) while CMYK is ink-based (subtractive, smaller gamut). The CMYK values produced are mathematically correct but the printed result may differ from what you see on screen.

How to Use HEX to CMYK

1

Enter a HEX code (3 or 6 digits, # optional)

2

The C, M, Y, K percentages appear instantly

3

Copy individual values or the full set

Common Use Cases

  • Brand designers building a style guide that covers both screen (HEX) and print (CMYK) specifications.
  • Developers exporting web colours to a design system that also serves print production.
  • Print operators checking the CMYK equivalent of a web-only colour before press.
  • Designers cross-checking a web colour against a physical Pantone swatch.

Example Input and Output

Converting the Tailwind blue-500 web colour to its CMYK print equivalent.

HEX input
#3B82F6
CMYK output
C:76%, M:47%, Y:0%, K:4%

Gamut differences

Some vivid screen colours cannot be exactly reproduced in print. CMYK has a smaller gamut than RGB.

Browser-side only

Conversion runs locally in your browser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the HEX to CMYK conversion approximate?

HEX (RGB) and CMYK use different colour models with different gamuts. The formula gives a mathematically consistent result, but real-world print output depends on the printer, paper, and ICC profile used.

What range do C, M, Y, K values use?

0–100%, where 0% means none of that ink and 100% is full ink saturation.

Is my data sent to a server?

No. All conversion runs in your browser.

Related Tools

Part of a Collection