CMYK to HSL Color Converter

Color Picker

#FF5733

Color Shades

Color Combinations

About CMYK and HSL Colors

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) and HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) are two fundamental color models used in different design contexts.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key)

CMYK is a subtractive color model primarily used in color printing. Each component represents the amount of ink used (0-100%). Unlike RGB which adds light to create colors, CMYK subtracts light through ink absorption. For example, pure cyan is (100%, 0%, 0%, 0%), while rich black might be (70%, 50%, 30%, 90%). CMYK has a smaller color gamut than RGB, which explains why some vibrant screen colors can't be perfectly reproduced in print.

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)

HSL is a cylindrical-coordinate representation of colors that aligns with how humans perceive color. Hue represents the color itself (0-360° on a color wheel), saturation represents intensity (0-100%), and lightness represents brightness (0-100%). For example, pure red is (0°, 100%, 50%), while pastel pink might be (350°, 60%, 85%). HSL is particularly useful for creating color variations and is more intuitive for many designers than RGB or HEX.

CMYK to HSL Conversion Process

  1. Convert CMYK values (0-100%) to decimal (0-1) by dividing by 100
  2. Calculate RGB values using the CMYK to RGB conversion formula
  3. Convert RGB to HSL using the standard conversion algorithm
  4. Round the HSL values to whole numbers for practical use

Example #1: Pure Cyan

Convert pure cyan CMYK (100%, 0%, 0%, 0%) to HSL:

CMYK = (100, 0, 0, 0)

RGB = (0, 255, 255)

HSL = (180°, 100%, 50%)

Example #2: Rich Black

Convert rich black CMYK (70%, 50%, 30%, 90%) to HSL:

CMYK = (70, 50, 30, 90)

RGB = (8, 13, 18)

HSL = (210°, 38%, 5%)

Common CMYK to HSL Examples

  • (0, 0, 0, 0) → hsl(0, 0%, 100%) (white)
  • (0, 0, 0, 100) → hsl(0, 0%, 0%) (black)
  • (100, 0, 0, 0) → hsl(180, 100%, 50%) (cyan)
  • (0, 100, 0, 0) → hsl(300, 100%, 50%) (magenta)
  • (0, 0, 100, 0) → hsl(60, 100%, 50%) (yellow)
  • (100, 100, 0, 0) → hsl(240, 100%, 50%) (blue)
  • (0, 100, 100, 0) → hsl(0, 100%, 50%) (red)

HSL is particularly useful for web design when you need to create variations of a base color (like different shades of blue or tints of green) by adjusting the lightness and saturation values while keeping the hue consistent.

CMYK to HSL FAQ

Why convert from CMYK to HSL?

Converting from CMYK (print) to HSL (digital) is useful when adapting print designs for web use. HSL provides a more intuitive way to create color variations (like different shades of blue or tints of green) than working directly with CMYK values.

Are there colors that can't be perfectly converted?

Yes, since CMYK has a smaller gamut than RGB/HSL, some CMYK colors (especially vibrant cyans and yellows) may not have exact equivalents in HSL. The conversion will produce the closest possible HSL representation.

How accurate is the CMYK to HSL conversion?

The conversion is mathematically precise, but the actual appearance may vary between print and screen due to differences in color gamuts and rendering methods. For critical color work, always check the results on your target medium.

Can I use these HSL values directly in CSS?

Yes! CSS accepts HSL values in the format hsl(hue, saturation%, lightness%). Modern browsers also support HSLA for transparent colors.