Hex vs RGB vs HSL
Master the three essential digital color notation systems. Learn when to use hex codes, RGB values, or HSL for different projects and workflows.
Same Colors, Different Notations
Vibrant Blue
#3B82F6rgb(59, 130, 246)hsl(217, 91%, 60%)Sunset Orange
#F97316rgb(249, 115, 22)hsl(25, 95%, 53%)Forest Green
#16A34Argb(22, 163, 74)hsl(142, 76%, 36%)Royal Purple
#9333EArgb(147, 51, 234)hsl(272, 81%, 56%)Detailed Comparison
Hex Codes
Hexadecimal representation using base-16 numbering system
#RRGGBB#3B82F6Advantages
- Compact and concise
- Widely supported
- Copy-paste friendly
- Standard in CSS
Limitations
- Not intuitive to read
- Hard to modify mentally
- No transparency support*
Best Used For
- CSS styling
- Design handoff
- Code documentation
- Quick color references
RGB
Additive color model based on red, green, and blue light
rgb(R, G, B)rgb(59, 130, 246)Advantages
- Intuitive for digital displays
- Easy to understand
- Direct hardware mapping
- Supports transparency (RGBA)
Limitations
- Verbose in code
- Hard to predict color mixing
- Not perceptually uniform
Best Used For
- Programming
- Digital art software
- Screen color matching
- Color calculations
HSL
Perceptual color model based on hue, saturation, and lightness
hsl(H, S%, L%)hsl(217, 91%, 60%)Advantages
- Human-friendly
- Easy color adjustments
- Intuitive relationships
- Great for variations
Limitations
- Less universal support
- Not hardware native
- Can be confusing initially
Best Used For
- Design systems
- Color picker interfaces
- Creating variations
- Accessibility tools
When to Use Each System
Use Hex When:
- • Writing CSS styles
- • Sharing colors with developers
- • Creating design documentation
- • Need compact notation
- • Working with design tools
Use RGB When:
- • Programming color calculations
- • Working with image data
- • Need transparency (RGBA)
- • Color mixing algorithms
- • Hardware interfacing
Use HSL When:
- • Building color pickers
- • Creating color variations
- • Design system development
- • Accessibility adjustments
- • Human-friendly interfaces
Real-World Conversion Workflows
Brand Guidelines
Converting brand colors across different formats for various use cases
Typical Workflow:
Start with Hex → Convert to RGB for print → Use HSL for variationsDesign System
Creating consistent color scales and variations
Typical Workflow:
Define base in HSL → Generate shades by adjusting L → Export as Hex/RGBWeb Development
Implementing colors in CSS with different requirements
Typical Workflow:
Use Hex for static colors → RGB for calculations → HSL for hover statesAccessibility
Ensuring proper contrast ratios and color adjustments
Typical Workflow:
Use HSL to adjust lightness → Convert to RGB → Calculate contrast ratiosPractical Tips & Best Practices
Conversion Tips
Hex ↔ RGB
Each hex pair represents one RGB channel (00-FF = 0-255)
RGB → HSL
Use online converters or CSS calc() functions
HSL Adjustments
Change H for different colors, S for intensity, L for brightness
Common Pitfalls
Hex Case Sensitivity
Use consistent casing (#FF0000 vs #ff0000)
RGB Range Confusion
Always 0-255, not 0-100 or 0-1
HSL Degree Symbol
Hue is in degrees but don't include ° in CSS
Browser Support & Compatibility
Hex Codes
Universal support since CSS1. Works everywhere.
RGB/RGBA
Excellent support. RGBA since IE9+.
HSL/HSLA
Good support. IE9+ for HSL, modern browsers for HSLA.
Fallback Strategy
color: #3B82F6; /* Hex fallback */
color: rgb(59, 130, 246); /* RGB for better support */
color: hsl(217, 91%, 60%); /* HSL for modern browsers */