Advanced Color Picker
Navigating Color Spaces
RGB, HSL, CMYK, and LAB: Which model should you use?
| Space | Best For | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | Web Dev | The standard for CSS. Compact and widely supported, but hard to "read" by humans. |
| RGB | Screens | Additive color model (Red, Green, Blue). How your monitor pixels actually light up. |
| HSL | Designers | Hue, Saturation, Lightness. The most intuitive way to perform color adjustments (e.g., "make it lighter"). |
| CMYK | Subtractive model (Ink). Crucial if your brand needs to look good on business cards. |
Why HSL is King for UI
We prioritize HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) in our tools because it decouples the *color* (Hue) from its *intensity* (Saturation/Lightness). This allows you to generate consistent design systems by keeping the Hue constant while varying Lightness to create hover states and backgrounds. You can check these values in our Professional Color Picker.
Pro Tip: Once you've picked a base color, put it into our Design System Builder to generate a full UI kit.
Color Picker & Converter FAQ
Q.What is the difference between HEX and RGB?
HEX is a 6-digit alphanumeric code used primarily in web design (e.g., #FF0000). RGB defines color by Red, Green, and Blue light values (0-255). They represent the exact same color, just written differently.
Q.When should I use HSL?
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) is best for design work. It allows you to modify a color's brightness or intensity without changing its fundamental hue.
Q.Does this picker support transparency (Alpha)?
Yes, you can input RGBA or HSL values. HEX codes with 8 digits (e.g., #FF000080) are also supported for 50% opacity.
Q.What are 'Harmonies'?
Harmonies are formulas for choosing colors that look good together. You can see these in action by clicking the 'Harmony' dropdown in our Main Palette Generator.