HSL to CMYK Color Converter

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hsl(120, 100%, 50%)

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Color Combinations

About HSL and CMYK Colors

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) and CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) are two important color models used in digital and print design.

HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness)

HSL is a cylindrical color model that represents colors in a way that's intuitive for humans. Hue represents the color type (0-360° on the color wheel), Saturation is the intensity of the color (0-100%), and Lightness is the brightness (0-100%). For example, pure green is (120°, 100%, 50%) in HSL. This model is widely used in CSS and design tools because it allows easy adjustment of colors by modifying their hue, saturation, or lightness independently.

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black)

CMYK is a subtractive color model used in color printing. It works by partially or entirely masking colors on a lighter background (usually white). The CMYK values represent the percentages of each ink component needed to reproduce the color. For example, pure red is approximately (0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) in CMYK. This model is essential for print design as it represents the actual ink combinations used in printing processes.

HSL to CMYK Conversion Process

  1. Convert HSL to RGB values (each component 0-255)
  2. Normalize the RGB values to the range 0-1 by dividing by 255
  3. Calculate the Key (black) component: K = 1 - max(R, G, B)
  4. Calculate the Cyan component: C = (1 - R - K) / (1 - K)
  5. Calculate the Magenta component: M = (1 - G - K) / (1 - K)
  6. Calculate the Yellow component: Y = (1 - B - K) / (1 - K)
  7. Convert all components to percentages (0-100%) and round

Example #1

Convert pure green HSL (120°, 100%, 50%) to CMYK:

HSL = (120°, 100%, 50%)

RGB = (0, 255, 0)

Normalized RGB = (0, 1, 0)

K = 1 - max(0, 1, 0) = 0

C = (1 - 0 - 0) / (1 - 0) = 1 (100%)

M = (1 - 1 - 0) / (1 - 0) = 0 (0%)

Y = (1 - 0 - 0) / (1 - 0) = 1 (100%)

CMYK = (100%, 0%, 100%, 0%)

Example #2

Convert dark blue HSL (240°, 100%, 25%) to CMYK:

HSL = (240°, 100%, 25%)

RGB ≈ (0, 0, 128)

Normalized RGB ≈ (0, 0, 0.5)

K ≈ 1 - max(0, 0, 0.5) ≈ 0.5 (50%)

C ≈ (1 - 0 - 0.5) / (1 - 0.5) ≈ 1 (100%)

M ≈ (1 - 0 - 0.5) / (1 - 0.5) ≈ 1 (100%)

Y ≈ (1 - 0.5 - 0.5) / (1 - 0.5) ≈ 0 (0%)

CMYK ≈ (100%, 100%, 0%, 50%)

Common HSL to CMYK Examples

  • hsl(0, 0%, 100%) → (0%, 0%, 0%, 0%) (white)
  • hsl(0, 0%, 0%) → (0%, 0%, 0%, 100%) (black)
  • hsl(0, 100%, 50%) → (0%, 100%, 100%, 0%) (red)
  • hsl(120, 100%, 50%) → (100%, 0%, 100%, 0%) (green)
  • hsl(240, 100%, 50%) → (100%, 100%, 0%, 0%) (blue)
  • hsl(60, 100%, 50%) → (0%, 0%, 100%, 0%) (yellow)
  • hsl(180, 100%, 50%) → (100%, 0%, 0%, 0%) (cyan)
  • hsl(300, 100%, 50%) → (0%, 100%, 0%, 0%) (magenta)
  • hsl(0, 0%, 50%) → (0%, 0%, 0%, 50%) (gray)

CMYK is particularly important for print design as it represents the actual ink combinations used in printing. When converting from HSL to CMYK, it's important to understand that some bright HSL colors may not be perfectly reproducible in CMYK due to the more limited color gamut of printing inks.

HSL to CMYK FAQ

Why use CMYK instead of HSL or RGB?

CMYK is essential for print design as it represents the actual ink combinations used in printing processes. While HSL and RGB are great for digital displays, CMYK ensures accurate color reproduction in printed materials. The conversion helps designers preview how their digital colors will appear when printed.

Are all HSL colors reproducible in CMYK?

No, some bright and saturated HSL colors (particularly in the blue and green ranges) may not be perfectly reproducible in CMYK due to the more limited color gamut of printing inks. This is known as "out of gamut" colors. Professional design software often provides gamut warnings for such colors.

When should I convert HSL to CMYK?

You should convert to CMYK when preparing designs for professional printing. While digital displays use RGB/HSL, printers use CMYK inks. Converting ensures your colors will print as expected. It's best to do this conversion at the end of your design process after all color decisions are made.

How accurate is the HSL to CMYK conversion?

The conversion is mathematically accurate for the color model transformation, but the actual printed result may vary depending on the printing process, paper quality, and printer calibration. For critical color work, always consult with your printer and request a physical proof.