HEX vs RGB vs HSL: Understanding Color Formats
A comprehensive guide to the most common color formats in web development.
Quick Comparison
| Format | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| HEX | #6366F1 | Design tools, compact notation |
| RGB | rgb(99, 102, 241) | JavaScript, dynamic colors |
| HSL | hsl(239, 84%, 67%) | Creating variations, themes |
HEX Colors
HEX (hexadecimal) colors represent RGB values as a 6-digit code. Each pair of digits represents red, green, or blue intensity from 00 (0) to FF (255).
RR = 63 (99 in decimal)
GG = 66 (102 in decimal)
BB = F1 (241 in decimal)
Pros: Compact, universal, supported everywhere
Cons: Hard to read/modify mentally
RGB Colors
RGB uses decimal values from 0-255 for each color channel. It's the most intuitive for programmatic manipulation.
rgb(99, 102, 241)
Pros: Easy to manipulate in code, supports transparency (rgba)
Cons: Harder to create visually consistent variations
HSL Colors
HSL uses Hue (0-360°), Saturation (0-100%), and Lightness (0-100%). It's the most intuitive for creating color variations.
hsl(239, 84%, 67%)
Pros: Easy to create tints/shades, intuitive adjustments
Cons: Not perceptually uniform (see OKLCH)
When to Use Each
- HEX: Design handoffs, CSS colors, brand guidelines
- RGB: JavaScript animations, color calculations
- HSL: Creating palettes, theming, dark mode
Try It Yourself
Use our Color Converter to convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, and OKLCH instantly.