Ultimate Interactive Color Picker
Your one-stop tool for selecting, converting, and managing web colors. Instantly get HEX, RGB, and HSL values with our intuitive picker.
Interactive Color Picker
Select a color to see its HEX, RGB, and HSL values.
How to Use the Color Picker
Our color picker is designed to be intuitive and powerful. Here's a step-by-step guide to get the most out of it:
- Select a Color Visually: Click and drag within the large color square to select saturation and brightness. Use the vertical slider to choose the hue. The color preview will update in real-time.
- Input Specific Values: If you already have a color in mind, you can directly input its value in HEX, RGB, or HSL format.
- HEX: Enter a 6-digit hexadecimal code (e.g.,
#FF5733). The '#' is optional. - RGB: Enter numerical values (0-255) for Red, Green, and Blue channels.
- HSL: Enter values for Hue (0-360), Saturation (0-100), and Lightness (0-100).
- HEX: Enter a 6-digit hexadecimal code (e.g.,
- Copy Values Instantly: Once you've found your perfect color, click the icon next to any format (HEX, RGB, or HSL) to copy the value directly to your clipboard.
- Live Preview: The colored bar below the picker shows your selected color, and the text inside automatically adjusts for readability, giving you a quick preview of text contrast.
Pro Tip:
Use the number inputs for fine-tuning. You can use your mouse wheel or arrow keys to increment/decrement values for precise adjustments.
Understanding Color Models
HEX (Hexadecimal)
HEX is the most common color model for web design. It's a 6-digit code representing the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values of a color. Each pair of digits represents the intensity of red, green, or blue, from 00 (0) to FF (255).
#RRGGBB
Example: #1E90FF means Red=1E (30), Green=90 (144), Blue=FF (255).
RGB (Red, Green, Blue)
The RGB model is an additive color model where red, green, and blue light are added together in various ways to reproduce a broad array of colors. It's the standard for digital displays like monitors and screens.
rgb(red, green, blue)
Example: rgb(30, 144, 255) is the same as #1E90FF.
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)
HSL is often more intuitive for humans. Hue is the color's position on the color wheel (0-360). Saturation is the intensity (0-100%). Lightness is how light or dark the color is (0-100%).
hsl(hue, saturation%, lightness%)
Example: hsl(210, 100%, 56%) produces the same vibrant blue.
Color Accessibility (WCAG)
Choosing accessible colors is crucial for creating inclusive web experiences. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide standards for contrast ratios between text and its background.
- AA Level: Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
- AAA Level: Requires a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text.
While this tool doesn't have a built-in contrast checker, it's a vital next step. After picking your color, use a dedicated contrast checker to ensure your text is readable for everyone, including people with visual impairments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between HSL and HSB/HSV?
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) and HSB/HSV (Hue, Saturation, Brightness/Value) are very similar cylindrical representations of the RGB model. The main difference lies in the 'L' and 'B/V' components. Lightness in HSL goes from black (0%) to the pure color (50%) to white (100%). Brightness/Value in HSB/HSV goes from black (0%) to the pure color (100%). This means HSL can represent white as a variation of any hue, while in HSB, only a color with 0% saturation can be white. For web development, HSL is more common as it's a CSS standard.
Can I use 3-digit HEX codes?
Yes, you can use 3-digit HEX codes as a shorthand if each color component has repeating digits. For example, #F0C is a shorthand for #FF00CC. Each digit is simply duplicated. Our tool shows the full 6-digit code for clarity, but browsers will render 3-digit codes correctly.
What are RGBA and HSLA?
RGBA and HSLA are extensions of RGB and HSL that include an 'A' for Alpha channel. The alpha channel controls the opacity of the color, from 0 (fully transparent) to 1 (fully opaque). For example, rgba(30, 144, 255, 0.5) would make our example blue color 50% transparent. This is extremely useful for overlays, glassmorphism effects, and other modern UI designs.
Why do my picked colors look different on other screens?
Color perception can vary significantly between different displays due to factors like screen technology (LCD, OLED), calibration, brightness settings, and ambient lighting. While the digital color values (HEX, RGB) are absolute, their visual representation is not. Professional designers often use calibrated monitors to ensure color consistency across their work. When designing for the web, it's best to test your color scheme on a variety of devices.
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