Convert CMYK to RGB
Converting Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black) (CMYK) to Red, Green, Blue (RGB) is a precise, rule-based operation — both formats describe the same color with different numbers. Whether you are tuning a CSS custom property, matching a brand color across design tools, or preparing values for print, this page gives you an interactive converter, the exact CMYK → RGB method, a worked example, a quick-reference table and the details that matter (rounding, gamut and print caveats).
From
To
—
—
—
Live preview
How to convert CMYK to RGB
Take this real example — the color firebrick(#c2410c):
cmyk(0%, 66.49%, 93.81%, 23.92%) → rgb(194, 65, 12)
- Normalize C, M, Y and K to 0–1.
- Each screen channel is what remains after the ink subtracts from white paper: R = 255·(1 − C)·(1 − K), and the same with M→G, Y→B.
- Round to 0–255. Remember the result is an approximation of the printed color, not a proof.
R = 255·(1 − C)·(1 − K) (per channel)
CMYK to RGB conversion table
| Color | CMYK | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| White | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(255, 255, 255) |
| Black | cmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) | rgb(0, 0, 0) |
| Red | cmyk(0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(255, 0, 0) |
| Lime | cmyk(100%, 0%, 100%, 0%) | rgb(0, 255, 0) |
| Blue | cmyk(100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) | rgb(0, 0, 255) |
| VersatilBox accent | cmyk(0%, 66.49%, 93.81%, 23.92%) | rgb(194, 65, 12) |
| Tailwind blue-500 | cmyk(76.02%, 47.15%, 0%, 3.53%) | rgb(59, 130, 246) |
| Tailwind emerald-500 | cmyk(91.35%, 0%, 30.27%, 27.45%) | rgb(16, 185, 129) |
About these formats
CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black)). CMYK is the subtractive model of print: inks layered on white paper. On-screen CMYK values are approximations — real print depends on ink profiles (ICC), not just numbers.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue). RGB is the additive model screens use: every color is a mix of red, green and blue light from 0 to 255 per channel. It is the numeric base all on-screen conversions pass through.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert CMYK to RGB?
Normalize C, M, Y and K to 0–1. Each screen channel is what remains after the ink subtracts from white paper: R = 255·(1 − C)·(1 − K), and the same with M→G, Y→B. Round to 0–255. Remember the result is an approximation of the printed color, not a proof. The converter above does it instantly, including the reverse direction.
What is CMYK?
CMYK — Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (black) — is the subtractive model of print: inks layered on white paper. On-screen CMYK values are approximations — real print depends on ink profiles (ICC), not just numbers.
What is RGB used for?
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is the additive model screens use: every color is a mix of red, green and blue light from 0 to 255 per channel. It is the numeric base all on-screen conversions pass through.
Is the CMYK → RGB conversion exact?
Yes. The formulas are deterministic and both formats store the same information for on-screen color; values are rounded only for display.
Why does the RGB value look different in other tools?
Small differences come from rounding (how many decimals are kept) and from out-of-gamut handling. This site follows the CSS Color 4 algorithms and shows OKLCH with 3 decimals, the same convention used by browsers and mainstream design tools.