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Convert CMYK to RGB for an Accurate Screen Preview – Free Online Tool
You have CMYK numbers from a spec sheet, ink build, or press proof. Convert them to RGB, hex, and a live swatch so you can preview the color on screen before you approve anything.
Both directions: RGB → CMYK and CMYK → RGB
CMYK percentages in, hex and RGB out instantly
Live color preview with every conversion
How to convert CMYK to RGB
1
Choose the direction
CMYK → RGB to preview a print color on screen; RGB → CMYK when you’re prepping artwork for print.
2
Enter your color
Type in your C, M, Y, and K percentages (0 to 100 each) straight from your spec sheet or ink build.
3
See the preview
RGB values, hex code, and a live swatch, ready instantly. Drop the hex straight into a website mockup or slide deck.
Common colors: CMYK, RGB & Hex chart
The conversions print buyers look up most, standard formula values, ready to paste.
| Color | RGB | Hex | CMYK (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Red | 255, 0, 0 | #FF0000 | 0, 100, 100, 0 |
| Pure Green | 0, 255, 0 | #00FF00 | 100, 0, 100, 0 |
| Pure Blue | 0, 0, 255 | #0000FF | 100, 100, 0, 0 |
| Orange | 255, 165, 0 | #FFA500 | 0, 35, 100, 0 |
| Purple | 128, 0, 128 | #800080 | 0, 100, 0, 50 |
| Pink | 255, 192, 203 | #FFC0CB | 0, 25, 20, 0 |
| Brown | 165, 42, 42 | #A52A2A | 0, 75, 75, 35 |
| Gray | 128, 128, 128 | #808080 | 0, 0, 0, 50 |
| White | 255, 255, 255 | #FFFFFF | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
| Black | 0, 0, 0 | #000000 | 0, 0, 0, 100 |
Why the on-screen preview won’t exactly match your printed color
This converter uses the standard CMYK to RGB formula, the same starting point most design software falls back to. It is accurate enough for a quick preview, not a color-managed proof. Your monitor’s calibration and color profile shift what you see, and no formula accounts for a specific press’s ink density or paper stock.
Quick sanity check: if your C+M+Y+K percentages add up to well over 300 total, you likely have more ink than the paper can hold. Rich blacks and dark saturated builds are the most common culprits. Most print shops cap total ink coverage around 300 to 320%.
CMYK to RGB FAQs
What is CMYK?
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black), the subtractive ink model presses use. Colors are built by combining inks on paper; more ink means a darker result.
Why convert CMYK to RGB?
To preview a print color on screen, drop a brand color into a website or slide deck, or sanity check a spec sheet before you approve a proof. RGB and hex are what browsers and screens expect.
Will the RGB match what I see in my design software's CMYK preview?
Close, but not guaranteed. This tool uses the standard conversion formula; design software also factors in your monitor's color profile and any ICC profile assigned to the document, which can shift results slightly.
What RGB or hex is C:0 M:100 Y:100 K:0?
That build converts to RGB 255, 0, 0, or hex #FF0000, a pure saturated red. Keep in mind the pure math conversion tends to look more vivid than an actual press print, since ink and paper limit how saturated a color can get.
Why does my printed sample look more muted than the RGB preview?
CMYK ink on paper cannot reproduce every color an RGB screen can display, especially bright neons and deep blues. The screen preview always leans more vivid. Trust a physical proof over the screen for final color decisions.
Is there a single universal CMYK to RGB formula?
No single formula is exact; results depend on the specific ICC color profile in use. This tool uses the common, uncalibrated formula most browsers and design tools default to, accurate enough for quick previews and mockups.
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