CMYK to RGB Color Converter

Enter Calculation

Cyan (C) %

Magenta (M) %

Yellow (Y) %

Key/Black (K) %

Results

RGB Color

rgb(255, 64, 51)

Hex #FF4033

Red (R)	255
Green (G)	64
Blue (B)	51
Hex	#FF4033

What is the CMYK to RGB Color Converter?

CMYK is the subtractive color model used in printing, where ink combines Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (black). RGB is the additive model used by screens, combining Red, Green, and Blue light. This converter takes CMYK percentages and produces the equivalent RGB values (0–255) plus a hex code, so you can match printed colors to on-screen designs.

CMYK is a subtractive ink model while RGB is an additive light model.

How to use it

Enter each channel as a percentage from 0 to 100. For example, a rich red might be C=0, M=75, Y=80, K=0. Click calculate to see the RGB triplet, a hex code, and a live color swatch preview you can drop straight into CSS or design software.

The formula explained

First convert each percentage to a fraction (divide by 100). The black channel darkens every color, so the term \((1 - K)\) scales all three outputs. Each color channel is then:

$$\begin{aligned} R &= 255 \times (1 - C) \times (1 - K) \\[0.4em] G &= 255 \times (1 - M) \times (1 - K) \\[0.4em] B &= 255 \times (1 - Y) \times (1 - K) \end{aligned}$$ Results are rounded to the nearest whole number, since RGB channels are integers from 0 to 255.

Each RGB channel is computed from its CMYK component and the key (black) value.

Worked example

For C=0%, M=75%, Y=80%, K=0%: \(C=0\), \(M=0.75\), \(Y=0.80\), \(K=0\). $$R = 255 \times (1 - 0) \times (1 - 0) = 255$$ $$G = 255 \times (1 - 0.75) \times 1 = 255 \times 0.25 = 63.75 \approx 64$$ $$B = 255 \times (1 - 0.80) \times 1 = 255 \times 0.20 = 51$$ The result is rgb(255, 64, 51), hex #FF4033 — a vivid red-orange.

FAQ

Is CMYK to RGB conversion exact? No model conversion is perfectly exact across devices, because printers and monitors use different gamuts and profiles. This formula gives a standard mathematical approximation that is accurate for everyday design work.

Why does the same color look different in print? Screens emit light (additive RGB) while paper reflects it (subtractive CMYK). For exact print matching, use ICC color profiles in professional software.

What does K stand for? K is the "Key" plate — the black ink channel. Higher K darkens the result by lowering every RGB channel proportionally.