HEX to RGB Colour Converter
Convert any HEX colour code into its Red, Green and Blue values instantly. Built for artists digitising paintings, illustrators, crafters and anyone preparing colours for a digital or print project.
Enter a HEX Colour
RGB Result
rgb(74, 124, 89)
HEX: #4A7C59
R: 74 G: 124 B: 89
Percentage: 29%, 49%, 35%
Lighter & Darker Variations
Use these as a starting point for shading and highlighting in your artwork planning.
Lighter
#5E9470
Darker
#365C41
How to Use the HEX to RGB Converter
- Type or paste a HEX colour code into the field, with or without the # symbol.
- Three-character HEX codes (like #4A7) are automatically expanded to the full six-character version before converting.
- Your Red, Green and Blue values update instantly below the colour preview, along with the percentage version of each channel.
- Select Copy RGB or Copy HEX to copy the value you need onto your clipboard.
- Select Random Colour to explore a new starting point, or Reset to return to the default swatch.
- Check the Lighter and Darker variations underneath for a quick tonal reference.
How the HEX to RGB Calculation Works
A HEX colour code is a six-character code made up of three pairs of characters, each pair representing the Red, Green and Blue amount of the colour in hexadecimal (base 16) notation.
- R = the first two hexadecimal characters, converted to a decimal number from 0 to 255.
- G = the middle two hexadecimal characters, converted to a decimal number from 0 to 255.
- B = the final two hexadecimal characters, converted to a decimal number from 0 to 255.
Three-character shorthand HEX codes are expanded by doubling each character before the conversion runs, so #4A7 becomes #44AA77.
Worked example: #4A7C59 converts to RGB(74, 124, 89).
Why Artists and Creators Use HEX to RGB Conversion
Knowing the RGB values behind a HEX code is useful when you are digitising a painting, preparing artwork for a printable product, matching a brand colour supplied by a client, or planning a colour scheme for an illustration or craft project. Many design programs, colour pickers and printing services ask for one format or the other, so being able to move between them quickly saves guesswork.
Keep in mind that RGB values describe how a colour is displayed as light on a screen. Physical paints and pigments behave differently once mixed on paper or canvas — for guidance on translating a digital colour into an actual paint mix, see the Paint Colour Mixer.
Examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a HEX colour code?
A HEX colour code is a six-character code (like #4A7C59) used in web design and digital art to describe a colour using Red, Green and Blue values in hexadecimal notation.
What is RGB?
RGB stands for Red, Green and Blue — the three colours of light that screens combine to display every colour you see on a monitor or phone.
How do I convert HEX to RGB?
Enter your HEX code into the field above. The tool splits it into three pairs of characters and converts each pair from hexadecimal to a decimal value between 0 and 255.
Does this tool accept 3-character HEX codes?
Yes. A shorthand code like #4A7 is automatically expanded to its full six-character version, #44AA77, before converting.
Do I need to include the # symbol?
No. You can enter the code with or without the # symbol and the tool will still recognise it.
Why do some tools show RGB as a percentage?
Percentages describe how much of each colour channel is present relative to its maximum value, which some design and print programs use instead of the 0–255 scale.
Can I use this tool to prepare artwork for printing?
This tool converts between screen colour formats. Printed colour depends on CMYK ink percentages, so see the HEX to CMYK Colour Converter if you are preparing a print file.
Will the RGB values look exactly the same on every screen?
Not necessarily. Screen calibration, brightness and colour profile settings can all make the same RGB value appear slightly different from one device to another.
What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
RGB describes colour as light, used by screens, while CMYK describes colour as ink, used by printers. The two use different mathematical models and do not convert perfectly between each other.
Can I use this tool to choose paint colours?
Yes, as a starting reference. Real paint colours vary by brand, pigment and opacity, so treat the RGB values as a planning guide rather than an exact match — the Paint Colour Mixer can help with physical mixing guidance.
Why do the Lighter and Darker variations matter?
They give you a quick tonal reference for highlights and shadows based on your chosen colour, which can help when planning shading in a painting or illustration.
Is my colour data stored or sent anywhere?
No. All conversion happens directly in your browser. Nothing you type 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.
Where can I find more colour tools?
Visit the Colour Tools hub for the full collection of converters, palette generators and colour learning tools.
Related Colour Tools
Ready to Create with Colour?
Explore beginner-friendly Creative Flair by Sana painting kits with carefully selected colours and approachable step-by-step guidance.
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.