CMYK stands for Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Key (Black). It's the color model used in printing where colors are created by subtracting light from white paper.

CMYK is for print, RGB is for screens. If you have print color values and need to use them on a website or digital design, you need to convert to RGB.

Not always. CMYK and RGB have different color gamuts. Some CMYK colors can't be perfectly represented in RGB and vice versa. This tool provides the closest approximation.

K stands for 'Key' (black). It's used because CMY inks don't produce a true black when mixed, and using black ink is more economical than mixing all three colors.

This uses the standard mathematical conversion formula. For professional color-critical work, use ICC color profiles in software like Photoshop or Illustrator.

CMYK uses subtractive color (removing wavelengths from white). RGB uses additive color (adding light). CMYK has a smaller gamut—it can't produce colors as vibrant as backlit screens.

Rich black uses more than just 100% K. Often C:60 M:40 Y:40 K:100. It produces deeper, richer blacks in print than K:100 alone.

Pantone provides RGB values for their spot colors. For CMYK Pantone approximations, convert the CMYK values here, but expect slight differences from true Pantone.

Process colors are the standard CMYK inks: pure Cyan (100,0,0,0), Magenta (0,100,0,0), Yellow (0,0,100,0). The preset buttons show these values.

Fabric printing varies widely. Some use CMYK, others use RGB or spot colors. Check with your fabric printer for their required color format and profiles.

CMYK Input

RGB Result

Common Print Colors

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