How do you convert CMYK to RGB?
Turn each CMYK percentage into a fraction (50% = 0.5), then multiply 255 by what is left after the ink and after black: R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K), and the same for G with M and B with Y. Round to whole numbers.
Example: cmyk(0%, 50%, 100%, 0%)
| Channel | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 255 × (1 − 0) × (1 − 0) | 255 |
| Green | 255 × (1 − 0.5) × (1 − 0) | 128 |
| Blue | 255 × (1 − 1) × (1 − 0) | 0 |
So the color is rgb(255, 128, 0), or #FF8000 in hex.
What is the CMYK to RGB formula?
R = 255 × (1 − C) × (1 − K)
G = 255 × (1 − M) × (1 − K)
B = 255 × (1 − Y) × (1 − K)
C, M, Y, K as fractions from 0 to 1
Why does my color look different after converting CMYK to RGB?
This converter uses the plain arithmetic formula, which treats CMYK as a simple inversion of RGB. It does not use an ICC color profile, so the numbers are a starting point rather than press-ready values. Programs such as Photoshop and Illustrator convert through the profile set in your color settings (for example a coated or uncoated press profile), take ink limits into account and usually add some black to dark tones, so their CMYK values for the same color will differ. For print work, ask your printer for their profile and convert in your design software.
Screens can also show colors that ink cannot print, and the reverse is true for a few printing inks. That is why a bright RGB green or blue often looks duller in print.
How do I convert CMYK to RGB in Illustrator or Photoshop?
In Illustrator choose File › Document Color Mode › RGB Color. In Photoshop choose Image › Mode › RGB Color. Both programs convert through the color profiles in their color settings, which is why their numbers may not match the formula above exactly. This page converts color values; it does not convert image files.
Common CMYK values in RGB
| HEX | RGB | CMYK | Name | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
#FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 | white | |
#000000 | 0, 0, 0 | 0, 0, 0, 100 | black | |
#FF0000 | 255, 0, 0 | 0, 100, 100, 0 | red | |
#00FF00 | 0, 255, 0 | 100, 0, 100, 0 | lime | |
#0000FF | 0, 0, 255 | 100, 100, 0, 0 | blue | |
#FFFF00 | 255, 255, 0 | 0, 0, 100, 0 | yellow | |
#00FFFF | 0, 255, 255 | 100, 0, 0, 0 | aqua | |
#FF00FF | 255, 0, 255 | 0, 100, 0, 0 | fuchsia | |
#808080 | 128, 128, 128 | 0, 0, 0, 50 | gray | |
#FFA500 | 255, 165, 0 | 0, 35, 100, 0 | orange | |
#800080 | 128, 0, 128 | 0, 100, 0, 50 | purple | |
#008080 | 0, 128, 128 | 100, 0, 0, 50 | teal | |
#1E90FF | 30, 144, 255 | 88, 44, 0, 0 | dodgerblue | |
#2E8B57 | 46, 139, 87 | 67, 0, 37, 45 | seagreen | |
#FF5733 | 255, 87, 51 | 0, 66, 80, 0 |
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Formulas checked October 2026 against W3C, CSS Color Module Level 4.