Convert HEX Color Codes to RGB Values Convert HEX color codes to RGB values instantly with a live preview swatch.

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HEX to RGB Converter

Convert HEX color codes to RGB values instantly with a live preview swatch.

Enter HEX Code

Type a HEX color code like #3B82F6 or use the color picker to select a color.

View RGB Values

See the Red, Green, and Blue channel values (0–255) update instantly.

Copy the RGB Values

Click Copy to grab the RGB values in css format like rgb(59, 130, 246).

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What Is HEX to RGB Converter?

A HEX to RGB converter translates hexadecimal color codes into their Red, Green, and Blue channel equivalents. HEX codes are six-character strings (preceded by #) used extensively in web development, graphic design, and digital media. Each pair of hex digits represents one color channel: the first two for red, the middle two for green, and the last two for blue. For example, #FF5733 breaks down to R:255, G:87, B:51. The RGB color model is an additive system where colors are created by combining red, green, and blue light at varying intensities from 0 to 255. This conversion is essential for developers who need to switch between CSS hex notation and rgba() functions, for designers working across tools that use different color formats, and for anyone who needs precise color channel values for image manipulation, data visualization, or accessibility calculations. Our converter handles both 3-digit shorthand (#F00) and standard 6-digit codes, providing instant conversion with a visual preview.

Why Use HEX to RGB Converter?

Instantly convert any HEX code to precise RGB values with live preview
Supports both 3-digit shorthand (#F00) and full 6-digit HEX codes
Visual color swatch updates in real-time as you type
One-click copy for both rgb() and comma-separated formats
No installation or signup — runs entirely in your browser

Common Use Cases

CSS Development

Convert HEX colors from design mockups into rgb() values for CSS properties that require RGB format.

Design Handoff

Translate color specifications between designers who work in HEX and developers who need RGB values.

Image Processing

Get individual R, G, B channel values needed for pixel manipulation in Canvas or WebGL.

Accessibility Testing

Extract RGB values needed to calculate relative luminance for WCAG contrast ratio checks.

Data Visualization

Convert brand HEX colors to RGB format required by charting libraries like D3.js or Chart.js.

Technical Guide

The HEX color system represents colors using base-16 (hexadecimal) notation. Each color channel uses two hex digits, giving 256 possible values per channel (00 to FF, or 0 to 255 in decimal). The conversion process is straightforward: parse each pair of hex digits and convert to decimal. For a 3-digit shorthand like #F0A, each digit is doubled: FF, 00, AA. The resulting RGB values can express 16,777,216 unique colors (256³). In CSS, HEX and RGB are functionally identical — #3B82F6 and rgb(59, 130, 246) produce the exact same color. The choice between formats often depends on context: HEX is more compact and commonly used in design tools, while RGB is more intuitive for programmatic color manipulation. When working with transparency, HEX uses an optional 8th character (#3B82F680 for 50% opacity), while RGB extends to rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5). Modern CSS also supports the space-separated syntax: rgb(59 130 246 / 50%). Understanding this conversion is fundamental to web development, as it bridges the gap between how colors are specified in design tools and how they are manipulated in code.

Tips & Best Practices

1
HEX codes are case-insensitive — #3b82f6 and #3B82F6 are identical
2
Use 3-digit shorthand only when each pair has identical digits: #AABBCC → #ABC
3
For transparency, add two more hex digits: #3B82F680 is 50% opacity
4
rgb(0, 0, 0) is pure black; rgb(255, 255, 255) is pure white
5
Equal R, G, B values produce shades of gray (e.g., rgb(128, 128, 128))

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q What is a HEX color code?

A HEX color code is a 6-character string using digits 0-9 and letters A-F, preceded by #. It represents a color using the RGB model where each pair of characters specifies the intensity of Red, Green, or Blue (0-255).

Q How do I convert HEX to RGB manually?

Split the HEX code into three pairs. Convert each pair from hexadecimal to decimal. For example, #3B = 3×16+11 = 59, #82 = 8×16+2 = 130, #F6 = 15×16+6 = 246. Result: rgb(59, 130, 246).

Q What is the difference between HEX and RGB?

They represent the same colors in different notations. HEX uses base-16 (hexadecimal), while RGB uses decimal values 0-255. #FF0000 and rgb(255, 0, 0) both produce pure red.

Q Can HEX codes include transparency?

Yes. 8-digit HEX codes include an alpha channel: #3B82F680 where 80 (hex) = 128 (decimal) = ~50% opacity. This is equivalent to rgba(59, 130, 246, 0.5).

Q Are 3-digit HEX codes valid?

Yes. 3-digit codes are shorthand where each digit is doubled: #F0A expands to #FF00AA. They can only represent colors where each channel pair has matching digits.

Q Why do designers use HEX over RGB?

HEX is more compact (7 characters vs ~16 for rgb()), easier to copy-paste, and is the default format in most design tools like Figma, Sketch, and Photoshop.

About This Tool

HEX to RGB Converter is a free online tool by FreeToolkit.ai. All processing happens directly in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No registration or installation required.