About the Hex to CMYK Converter
Brand colours are usually given as hex codes for the web, but printers ask for CMYK. This converter turns any hex code, in the long #RRGGBB form or the short #RGB form, into cyan, magenta, yellow and black percentages using the standard screen-to-print formula. It also shows a swatch so you can see the colour. It is a quick starting point for business cards, flyers and packaging, though professional printers may adjust the values for their paper and inks.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Hex to CMYK Converter
- 1Type or paste the hex code, with or without the #.
- 2Read the CMYK percentages.
- 3Check the swatch to confirm the colour.
- 4Copy the CMYK values.
- 5Send them to your printer or paste them into your design file.
Screen colour versus print colour
Hex codes describe red, green and blue light on a screen. CMYK describes how much cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink to put on paper. Because ink can't reproduce every bright screen colour, some vivid oranges, greens and blues look duller in print. This tool gives the standard mathematical conversion, which is what most online design tools use.
Worked examples
These examples use the same formula as the converter.
- #FF0000 (red) = 0, 100, 100, 0
- #00A0E0 (sky blue) = 100, 29, 0, 12
- #FFCC00 (golden yellow) = 0, 20, 100, 0
- #808080 (grey) = 0, 0, 0, 50
Getting reliable print colour
For logos and brand colours that must match every time, consider a Pantone spot colour and ask the printer for its CMYK build. Request a printed proof before a large run. Coated and uncoated paper also change how a colour looks, so say which paper you plan to use.
Short hex codes
A three-digit code such as #F80 is shorthand for #FF8800: each digit is doubled. The converter expands it automatically, so either form works.
Sending colours to a printer
Give the printer the CMYK numbers together with the hex code and, ideally, a printed sample you are happy with. Mention whether the job is on coated or uncoated stock. If the printer's proof looks different from the screen, trust the proof: it shows how the ink really behaves on that paper, and small adjustments are normal.
Phone and computer
Paste a hex code copied from a website or brand guide on any device. The swatch shows the colour on your screen, and nothing is uploaded. A screen colour needs a careful translation for print. Return to the screen code with the CMYK to Hex Converter, check an RGB value using the RGB to CMYK Converter, and use the HEX to RGB Converter for the red, green and blue parts.
Features
- Hex to CMYK in one step
- Accepts #RRGGBB and #RGB
- Swatch preview
- Explains print limits honestly
- Copy result
- Private and free
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert hex to CMYK?
Turn the hex code into RGB (each pair of digits is a number from 0 to 255), then K = 1 − max(R, G, B) ÷ 255 and each of C, M and Y = (1 − channel ÷ 255 − K) ÷ (1 − K). The converter shows the result as percentages.
What is #3366CC in CMYK?
#3366CC is rgb(51, 102, 204), which gives cmyk(75%, 50%, 0%, 20%).
Will the printed colour match my screen?
Not always. Screens mix light and can show brighter colours than ink on paper. Printers use colour profiles for their presses, so ask for a proof if the colour is important.
Do I need the # sign?
No. You can type FF8800 or #FF8800, and the short form F80 works too.
What about transparency in 8-digit hex codes?
CMYK has no transparency, so use the 6-digit code without the alpha part.
What is pure black in CMYK?
#000000 converts to 0% C, 0% M, 0% Y and 100% K. Printers sometimes use a 'rich black' with some cyan added for large dark areas; ask yours what they prefer.