What is Color Picker?
Color Picker is a free browser-based color tool. All color calculations and conversions run locally in your browser. No data is sent to any server. Works with HEX, RGB, HSL and other color formats.
This tool lets you pick colors, get hex, rgb, hsl without installing any software or creating an account. Everything runs directly in your browser for maximum privacy. Your files and data never leave your device.
Use it for quick tasks at any time from any device — desktop, tablet or mobile. No subscription, no ads, no limits.
⚡
Instant results
No server processing or wait
🔒
100% private
Files stay on your device
💰
Always free
No subscription or fees
📱
Mobile ready
Works on any device
How to use Color Picker
- Open the Color Picker tool
- Enter your input data or upload your file
- Configure the settings for your use case
- Download or copy the result
Why use OnlineToolsPlus?
Color tools on OnlineToolsPlus handle all conversions and calculations locally in your browser. Convert between HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK and CSS formats instantly. Generate palettes, gradients and accessibility contrast ratios. Whether you are designing for screen or print, the tools give you accurate color values without any account or software.
Frequently asked questions
What color information does the picker provide?
The picker provides the selected color in HEX (#rrggbb), RGB (r, g, b values 0–255), and HSL (hue 0–360°, saturation 0–100%, lightness 0–100%) formats simultaneously. All values update in real time as you move the picker. You can copy any format with a single click for use in CSS, design tools, or code.
Can I enter a color code to see it visually?
Yes. Paste or type a HEX code, RGB value, or HSL value into the input field and the picker jumps to that color. This is useful for verifying what a color looks like from a code you found in a CSS file or design spec.
What is the difference between HEX and RGB?
HEX and RGB represent the same information in different notation. HEX #2563eb is the same color as RGB (37, 99, 235). HEX uses base-16 (hexadecimal) notation, writing each channel as two hex digits. RGB uses base-10 decimal notation. CSS accepts both. Most developers use HEX for static colors because it is shorter; RGB is preferred when calculating colors programmatically (mixing, blending, animating).
How do I create color variations (tints and shades)?
Tints (lighter versions) are created by increasing the L (lightness) value in HSL while keeping H and S constant. Shades (darker versions) are created by decreasing L. For example, if your base color is hsl(220, 80%, 50%), tints might be hsl(220, 80%, 70%) and hsl(220, 80%, 90%), while shades might be hsl(220, 80%, 30%) and hsl(220, 80%, 10%). This creates a consistent palette from a single base hue.
What is HSL and why is it useful?
HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness) describes colors in a way that matches human perception. Hue is the color angle around a circle (0°=red, 60°=yellow, 120°=green, 180°=cyan, 240°=blue, 300°=magenta). Saturation controls how vivid or gray the color is. Lightness controls brightness. HSL is useful for design because adjusting one parameter at a time produces predictable, systematic results — something that is difficult with HEX or RGB values.
Can I pick a color from an image?
The color picker shows a color wheel and sliders for manual selection. To pick a color from a specific image on your screen, use your operating system's built-in tool: Digital Color Meter on macOS, PowerToys Color Picker on Windows, or a browser extension like ColorZilla. These tools sample any pixel on your screen, including images in the browser.
What is a color's "name"?
Many common colors have official names in the CSS specification (crimson, steelblue, goldenrod) or in the Pantone, RAL, and NCS color naming systems. The Color Name Finder tool on OnlineToolsPlus identifies the closest named color for any HEX value, which is useful for communicating colors verbally or matching to physical color standards.
How do I convert a color for print (CMYK)?
Screen colors (HEX/RGB/HSL) are in the additive RGB color space designed for light emission. Print colors use the subtractive CMYK model for ink mixing. The conversion is approximate because the gamuts (range of reproducible colors) differ — some vivid screen colors cannot be reproduced in print. Use the Color Converter tool to get approximate CMYK values, and always proof-print with a physical sample if color accuracy is critical.
What is color contrast and why does it matter?
Color contrast is the difference in perceived luminance between two colors — typically text and its background. High contrast makes text readable; low contrast makes it hard to read, especially for users with low vision. WCAG 2.1 defines minimum contrast ratios for accessibility compliance: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text. Failing contrast ratios can also create legal liability for organizations required to meet accessibility standards.
Can I save or export my color selections?
The tool provides instant copy buttons for HEX, RGB, and HSL values. For building and saving full color palettes, use the Color Palette Generator on OnlineToolsPlus, which generates, previews, and lets you copy complete palettes. For professional design work, tools like Figma, Adobe Color, and Coolors allow saving named palettes for team use.
- Use HSL for generating palettes. Start with a base hue, then create tints (increase lightness), shades (decrease lightness), and tones (decrease saturation) to build a systematic color palette. This keeps all palette variants visually related.
- Check contrast ratios for accessibility. WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text against its background. Use the Color Contrast Checker to verify that your chosen text and background colors meet accessibility standards.
- Consider color blindness. About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency. Use the Color Blind Simulator to check how your design appears to users with deuteranopia, protanopia, or tritanopia before finalizing your palette.
Color Picking Tips for Design
- HEX (#RRGGBB): The most common format in web development. A 6-digit hexadecimal value representing red, green, and blue channels. CSS, HTML, and most design tools accept HEX. Example:
#2563ebis a vivid blue. - RGB (Red, Green, Blue): Integer values from 0–255 for each channel. Used in CSS (
rgb(37, 99, 235)), digital design, and photography. More intuitive for mixing colors programmatically. - HSL (Hue, Saturation, Lightness): Describes color in terms humans understand. Hue is the color angle (0°=red, 120°=green, 240°=blue), saturation is the intensity (0%=gray, 100%=vivid), lightness is the brightness (0%=black, 50%=normal, 100%=white). HSL is ideal for creating color variations — adjusting lightness creates tints and shades while keeping the same hue.
- CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black): Used for print. If your color will be professionally printed, you need CMYK values rather than screen-optimized RGB or HEX.
The same color can be expressed in multiple formats. Each has a different use context:
Understanding Color Formats
More Color Tools
Color ConverterConvert HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYKPalette GeneratorGenerate palettes from a base colorContrast CheckerWCAG color contrast ratioGradient GeneratorCSS gradient builder with previewColorblind SimulatorSee how colorblind people see your colors
Last updated: April 11, 2026
View all 200+ free tools →