Convert color from CMYK to RGB

CMYK to RGB converter

Convert CMYK to RGB channel values.

Example: cmyk(0%, 58%, 79.2%, 0%)

RGB
See this color in all formats

About CMYK to RGB Converter

This moves a print color into the screen world with the standard formula: R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K), and the same for G with M and B with Y. It is useful for placing print brand colors in code, slides and video.

About the formats. CMYK describes a color as the share of cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink (each 0% to 100%) used to print it. Values are read as percentages, with or without the % sign, and the CSS name device-cmyk() is understood too. RGB gives the amount of red, green and blue light as three numbers from 0 to 255, as in rgb(255, 107, 53). Both the comma form and the space form rgb(255 107 53 / 50%) are read, and percentages work too.

How exact is it? The conversion uses the plain mathematical formula, R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K), with no color profile, so it will not match what a particular printer and paper produce. The channels come out as whole numbers from 0 to 255, and a partly transparent color is written as rgba().

For example, cmyk(0%, 81.3%, 81.3%, 16.1%) in CMYK is rgb(214, 40, 40) in RGB. Check the extremes to see how it behaves: cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) is white, any color with K at 100% is black, and equal amounts of C, M and Y with no K give a grey.

How to convert CMYK to RGB

  1. Type or paste a CMYK color, such as cmyk(0%, 81.3%, 81.3%, 16.1%), or choose a color with the picker.
  2. The RGB value, rgb(214, 40, 40) for that example, appears straight away.
  3. Press Copy to put the RGB value on your clipboard.
  4. Use the From and To menus at the top to switch to a different conversion, or open the all-formats page to see every format at once.

Frequently asked questions

How do I convert CMYK to RGB?

Type or paste a CMYK value such as cmyk(0%, 81.3%, 81.3%, 16.1%) and the RGB value, rgb(214, 40, 40), appears straight away. Use Copy to put it on your clipboard, or choose a color with the picker.

Why do CMYK to RGB converters give different answers?

Because there are two kinds. Photoshop and print software use ICC profiles, which depend on the paper and inks. Simple web converters, like this one, use the plain formula. They agree on black and white but differ on everything in between.

Why doesn't 100% cyan, magenta and yellow give black?

With the formula it does give rgb(0, 0, 0). In real ink it makes a muddy dark brown, which is exactly why printers add a separate black plate.

Is converting CMYK to RGB exact?

The conversion uses the plain mathematical formula, R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K), with no color profile, so it will not match what a particular printer and paper produce. The channels come out as whole numbers from 0 to 255, and a partly transparent color is written as rgba().

Does CMYK to RGB keep transparency?

CMYK has no transparency, so the RGB result is always fully opaque.

Are my colors sent anywhere?

No. The conversion runs in your browser and nothing is uploaded.