RGB to CMYK converter
Type or paste a RGB value and get the CMYK code instantly, with a copy button. Below: how the conversion works step by step, and a table of common colors.
Convert RGB to CMYK
How to convert RGB to CMYK
Divide each RGB channel by 255. K (black) = 1 − the largest of the three. Then C = (1 − R − K) ÷ (1 − K), M = (1 − G − K) ÷ (1 − K), Y = (1 − B − K) ÷ (1 − K). This is the plain mathematical conversion. Professional printing uses ICC color profiles for a specific press and paper, so a print shop’s numbers can differ.
- Start with rgb(59, 130, 246).
- Scale to 0–1: R = 0.231, G = 0.510, B = 0.965.
- K = 1 − 0.965 = 0.035.
- C = 0.760, M = 0.472, Y = 0.000.
- Result: cmyk(76%, 47.2%, 0%, 3.5%).
RGB to CMYK table for common colors
| Color | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|
| Red | rgb(255, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) |
| Orange | rgb(255, 165, 0) | cmyk(0%, 35.3%, 100%, 0%) |
| Yellow | rgb(255, 255, 0) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 100%, 0%) |
| Green | rgb(0, 128, 0) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 50%) |
| Blue | rgb(0, 0, 255) | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) |
| Purple | rgb(128, 0, 128) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 0%, 50%) |
| Pink | rgb(255, 192, 203) | cmyk(0%, 24.7%, 20.4%, 0%) |
| Brown | rgb(165, 42, 42) | cmyk(0%, 74.5%, 74.5%, 35.3%) |
| Black | rgb(0, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) |
| White | rgb(255, 255, 255) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) |
| Gray | rgb(128, 128, 128) | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) |
| Navy | rgb(0, 0, 128) | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 50%) |
| Teal | rgb(0, 128, 128) | cmyk(100%, 0%, 0%, 50%) |
| Gold | rgb(255, 215, 0) | cmyk(0%, 15.7%, 100%, 0%) |
| Sky Blue | rgb(135, 206, 235) | cmyk(42.6%, 12.3%, 0%, 7.8%) |
| Maroon | rgb(128, 0, 0) | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 50%) |
RGB and CMYK tips
- Each channel runs from 0 to 255; rgb(0, 0, 0) is black and rgb(255, 255, 255) is white.
- Modern CSS also accepts spaces and an alpha value: rgb(59 130 246 / 50%).
- Equal red, green and blue values always give a gray.
- RGB numbers are not perceptual: the same step looks bigger in dark colors than in light ones.
- CMYK percentages run from 0% to 100% of each ink.
- Very bright screen colors (vivid greens, blues and oranges) cannot be printed exactly; they come out duller.
What are RGB and CMYK?
RGB describes a color by how much red, green and blue light it contains, each from 0 to 255, such as rgb(59, 130, 246). Screens build every color from these three lights.
CMYK describes a printed color by the cyan, magenta, yellow and black (K) ink it needs, as percentages. Printers mix inks, which subtract light, so CMYK covers fewer bright colors than RGB.
Other color conversions
- RGB to HexConvert RGB values to Hex, with the formula and a table.
- Hex to RGBConvert Hex values to RGB, with the formula and a table.
- Hex to CMYKConvert Hex values to CMYK, with the formula and a table.
- CMYK to HexConvert CMYK values to Hex, with the formula and a table.
- HSL to HexConvert HSL values to Hex, with the formula and a table.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert RGB to CMYK?
Divide each RGB channel by 255. K (black) = 1 − the largest of the three. Then C = (1 − R − K) ÷ (1 − K), M = (1 − G − K) ÷ (1 − K), Y = (1 − B − K) ÷ (1 − K). This is the plain mathematical conversion. Professional printing uses ICC color profiles for a specific press and paper, so a print shop’s numbers can differ. Or paste the value into the converter above.
What is rgb(59, 130, 246) in CMYK?
rgb(59, 130, 246) is cmyk(76%, 47.2%, 0%, 3.5%) in CMYK.
Is the RGB to CMYK conversion exact?
The formula is exact, but CMYK on paper depends on inks, paper and press. For print work, ask your printer for their profile and proof the colors.
Can I convert other formats?
Yes. The color converter takes any CSS color and gives hex, RGB, HSL, OKLCH, CMYK, Display P3 and code for Tailwind, Swift, Android and Flutter.