CMYK to RGB Colour Converter
Convert Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black print percentages into an approximate on-screen RGB colour. Useful when you have a CMYK print recipe and want to preview it digitally.
Enter CMYK Values
RGB Result
rgb(74, 124, 89)
CMYK: C 40%, M 0%, Y 28%, K 51%
This is an approximate screen preview only. Screens cannot truly display CMYK ink, and real printed colour depends on your printer, ink and paper.
How to Use the CMYK to RGB Converter
- Enter a value from 0 to 100% for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black, either by typing a number or dragging each slider.
- The approximate RGB colour and preview swatch update instantly.
- Select Copy RGB or Copy CMYK to copy the value you need.
- Select Random Colour to try a new combination, or Reset to return to the default colour.
How the CMYK to RGB Calculation Works
Each CMYK percentage is converted to a decimal between 0 and 1, then combined with the following formula for each RGB channel:
- R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K)
- G = 255 × (1 − M) × (1 − K)
- B = 255 × (1 − Y) × (1 − K)
The result is rounded to the nearest whole number for each channel.
Worked example: C 40%, M 0%, Y 28%, K 51% converts to approximately rgb(74, 124, 89).
This is a general mathematical conversion, not a professional ICC colour-profile conversion. Screens display light, not ink, so this is only an approximate preview of a print colour.
Why Artists and Creators Use CMYK to RGB Conversion
If you have been given a CMYK colour recipe by a printer, packaging supplier or another artist, converting it to RGB lets you preview roughly what it will look like on a screen before it goes to press. This is useful for planning artwork, comparing colours against a digital reference, or documenting a print colour for future use.
Because CMYK ink and RGB screen light behave so differently, always treat this as an estimate. For guidance on translating a colour into real paint, see the Paint Colour Mixer.
Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CMYK?
CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black — the four inks combined by most commercial printers to produce colour on paper.
How do I convert CMYK to RGB?
Enter your Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black percentages above. The tool applies a standard formula to estimate the equivalent RGB screen colour.
Is the RGB result exact?
No. This is a mathematical estimate. Real printed CMYK colour depends on the specific printer, ink set, paper and colour profile used, none of which this tool can know.
Can I enter decimal percentages?
Yes. CMYK values can include one decimal place, for example 40.3%.
What happens if I enter a number above 100 or below 0?
The value is automatically adjusted to fit the valid 0–100% range, and a short message explains that the value was changed.
Why does the preview look different from my printed sample?
Screens display colour as light, while printers use ink on paper. The two processes produce colour differently, so an exact visual match is not possible.
Can I use this to check a Pantone colour?
No. Pantone is a proprietary, licensed colour matching system and is not included in this free tool.
Why does 100% Black (K) produce pure black RGB?
When K is 100%, the formula multiplies every channel by zero, producing rgb(0, 0, 0) regardless of the C, M and Y values.
Can I use this tool to choose paint colours?
Yes, as a rough starting reference. The Paint Colour Mixer can help translate a digital colour into a physical paint mixing guide.
Is my colour data stored or sent anywhere?
No. All conversion happens directly in your browser. Nothing you enter is sent to a server or stored.
Can I use this tool on my phone?
Yes. The tool is designed to work on mobile, tablet and desktop screens.
Can I copy the result to use elsewhere?
Yes. Use the Copy RGB or Copy CMYK buttons to copy the values to your clipboard.
Why do the sliders and number fields sometimes show slightly different results after rounding?
Sliders move in whole steps, while the number field accepts one decimal place, so small rounding differences can appear — both stay mathematically consistent with each other.
Where can I find more colour tools?
Visit the Colour Tools hub for the full collection of converters, palette generators and colour learning tools.
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Explore Painting KitsDigital colour results are provided for planning and educational purposes. Screens, printers, paint brands, pigments, paper and lighting can change how a colour appears. Test important colours before using them in a final artwork or print project. This tool performs a general mathematical conversion, not a professional ICC-profile colour conversion.