This HEX to CMYK converter utilizes a series of calculations to accurately convert hexadecimal color codes to CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) color values.
How to Manually Convert HEX to CMYK
Converting HEX colors to CMYK is essential for preparing digital designs for print. The process involves a few steps to ensure accurate color representation across different mediums as discussed below:
Converting HEX to RGB
Before converting to CMYK, the hexadecimal color code needs to be converted to RGB values. A hexadecimal color code is a 6-digit combination of numbers and letters (0-9, A-F) that represents the intensity of red, green, and blue colors.
| Hexadecimal | Decimal |
| 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 |
| 4 | 4 |
| 5 | 5 |
| 6 | 6 |
| 7 | 7 |
| 8 | 8 |
| 9 | 9 |
| A | 10 |
| B | 11 |
| C | 12 |
| D | 13 |
| E | 14 |
| F | 15 |
To convert HEX to RGB:
- Divide the hexadecimal code into three pairs of two digits (e.g., #FF0000 becomes FF, 00, 00).
- Convert each pair into its decimal equivalent (FF = 255, 00 = 0).
- These three decimal values represent the RGB values (e.g., #FF0000 = RGB (255, 0, 0)).
For Example:
Let’s say, the hex code is #336699.
- Divide it into three pairs of two digits: 33, 66, and 99
- Now, Converting each pair into its decimal equivalent:
- 33 in hexadecimal is equivalent to (3 * 16) + 3 = 51 in decimal.
- 66 in hexadecimal is equivalent to (6 * 16) + 6 = 102 in decimal.
- 99 in hexadecimal is equivalent to (9 * 16) + 9 = 153 in decimal.
Therefore, the RGB values are (51, 102, 153)
Normalization of RGB Values
Once the RGB values are obtained, they need to be normalized to a scale of 0 to 1 by dividing each value by 255:
- R* = R / 255
- G* = G / 255
- B* = B / 255
Continuing Example: Normalize each RGB value by dividing it by 255:
- R* = 51 / 255 = 0.2
- G* = 102 / 255 = 0.4
- B* = 153 / 255 = 0.6
Normalized RGB values: (0.2, 0.4, 0.6)
Conversion to CMYK
With the normalized RGB values, the conversion to CMYK can proceed using the following formulas:
Step 1: Calculate the Black Key Color (K)
K = 1 – MAX(R*, G*, B*)
Interpreting Formula:
MAX (0.2, 0.4, 0.6) = 0.6
K = 1 – 0.6 = 0.4
Step 2: Calculate the Cyan Color (C)
C = (1 – R* – K) / (1 – K)
Interpreting Formula:
C = (1 – 0.2 – 0.4) / (1 – 0.4) = 0.4 / 0.6 = 0.6667
Step 3: Calculate the Magenta Color (M)
M = (1 – G* – K) / (1 – K)
Interpreting Formula:
M = (1 – 0.4 – 0.4) / (1 – 0.4) = 0.2 / 0.6 = 0.3333
Step 4: Calculate the Yellow Color (Y)
Y = (1 – B* – K) / (1 – K)
Interpreting Formula:
Y = (1 – 0.6 – 0.4) / (1 – 0.4) = 0 / 0.6 = 0
Interpreting CMYK Values
The resulting CMYK values are approximately (0.6667, 0.3333, 0, 0.4). This means that approximately 67% Cyan, 33% Magenta, 0% Yellow, and 40% Black ink are needed to reproduce the color represented by the HEX code #336699 in print.
Examples to Convert HEX to CMYK with formula without tool
Example 1:
HEX Color: #FF6347
CMYK Values: (0%, 61%, 72%, 0%)
Color Representation: This corresponds to a vibrant shade of orange-red.
Example 2:
HEX Color: #00CED1
CMYK Values: (100%, 1%, 0%, 18%)
Color Representation: This corresponds to a bright turquoise color.
Example 3:
HEX Color: #800080
CMYK Values: (0%, 100%, 0%, 50%)
Color Representation: This corresponds to a rich purple color.
Example 4:
HEX Color: #FFFF00
CMYK Values: (0%, 0%, 100%, 0%)
Color Representation: This corresponds to a bright yellow color.
Example 5:
HEX Color: #7CFC00
CMYK Values: (51%, 0%, 100%, 1%)
Color Representation: This corresponds to a vibrant shade of green-yellow.