What are the main differences between RGB, Hex, and HSL color formats?

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) uses three numbers (0-255) representing color intensity - intuitive for mixing colors. Hex uses six hexadecimal characters (#FF0000 for red) - compact and web-standard. HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) uses hue wheel (0-360°) with saturation and lightness percentages - most intuitive for designers. RGB is best for precise color matching, Hex for web development, HSL for design work.

How do I choose colors that work well together?

Use the color wheel to find complementary colors (opposite hues), analogous colors (adjacent hues), or triadic colors (three evenly spaced hues). Consider the 60-30-10 rule: 60% dominant color, 30% secondary, 10% accent. Test contrast ratios for accessibility (WCAG guidelines: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). Use color harmony principles and consider cultural color associations.

What should I know about color accessibility and contrast ratios?

WCAG guidelines require minimum contrast ratios: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold). Use tools to check contrast before finalizing designs. Consider color blindness - avoid red/green combinations for critical information. Test designs with grayscale to ensure visual hierarchy remains clear. Use high contrast for important elements like buttons and navigation.

How do I create effective color palettes for my projects?

Start with a base color that matches your brand or desired mood. Use the color wheel to find complementary, split-complementary, or analogous colors. Consider the context: warm colors for energy, cool colors for calm. Limit palettes to 3-5 colors for consistency. Test across different devices and lighting conditions. Use tools to generate harmonious color schemes. Consider seasonal or cultural color associations.

What are the best practices for using color in web design?

Use consistent color schemes across pages for brand recognition. Implement proper contrast ratios for accessibility. Consider color psychology - blue for trust, green for growth, red for urgency. Use color to guide user attention and create visual hierarchy. Test colors on different devices and screens. Consider dark mode compatibility. Use CSS custom properties for maintainable color systems.

How do I match colors from existing designs or brand guidelines?

Use the eyedropper tool to sample colors from images or existing websites. Convert between different color formats as needed. Create color palettes from brand colors using harmony rules. Maintain consistent color usage across all brand materials. Document hex codes for team reference. Use color naming conventions that match your brand language. Test colors in context with actual content.

What tools complement color pickers for design work?

Adobe Color for advanced color theory and palette generation. Coolors for quick palette creation. Color Oracle for color blindness simulation. WebAIM Contrast Checker for accessibility testing. ColorZilla browser extension for sampling colors. Paletton for color scheme generation. BrandColors for brand color reference. A11y Color Contrast for accessibility testing.

How do I implement color schemes in CSS and web development?

Use CSS custom properties (variables) for maintainable color systems. Implement semantic color names (primary, secondary, accent). Use HSL for programmatic color manipulation. Consider CSS color functions like lighten() and darken(). Implement dark mode with CSS media queries. Use color utilities in frameworks like Tailwind CSS. Test color rendering across different browsers and devices.

What are the psychological effects of different colors?

Red: Energy, urgency, passion, appetite stimulation. Blue: Trust, calm, professionalism, security. Green: Growth, health, nature, money. Yellow: Optimism, happiness, caution, attention-grabbing. Purple: Luxury, creativity, royalty, spirituality. Orange: Enthusiasm, warmth, motivation, friendliness. Black: Sophistication, power, elegance, formality. White: Purity, cleanliness, simplicity, innocence.

How do I ensure color consistency across different platforms and devices?

Use sRGB color space for web consistency. Test colors on multiple devices and screens. Consider different lighting conditions. Use relative color units when possible. Implement proper color management in design software. Test with color calibration tools. Consider how colors appear in different browsers. Use web-safe colors when maximum compatibility is needed. Document color specifications clearly for team reference.

Color Picker

Select colors and convert between RGB, Hex, and HSL formats instantly. Perfect for web design and development.

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H: 0° S: 100% L: 50%

How to Use the Color Picker

1. Pick a Color: Use the color picker or click preset colors

2. View Formats: See Hex, RGB, and HSL values automatically

3. Edit Values: Manually adjust RGB values or hex code

4. Copy Codes: Click copy buttons to use in your projects

Color Format Guide

Hex (#RRGGBB)

Common for web design

RGB (Red, Green, Blue)

Values from 0-255

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)

Intuitive color adjustments

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