RGB to CMYK Converter
Convert screen colors (RGB) to CMYK ink percentages for print design.
How to use the RGB to CMYK Converter
- Enter the red, green and blue values (0–255).
- Read the CMYK percentages.
- Use your printer’s color profile for final artwork.
How it works
The basic conversion: K = 1 − max(R, G, B)/255; then C = (1 − R/255 − K)/(1 − K), and similarly for M (green) and Y (blue). Screens can show brighter, more saturated colors than ink can print, so vivid RGB greens and blues often look duller in print. Professional print work uses ICC color profiles for accurate conversion.
RGB to CMYK examples
| RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|
| 255, 0, 0 | 0%, 100%, 100%, 0% |
| 0, 255, 0 | 100%, 0%, 100%, 0% |
| 0, 0, 255 | 100%, 100%, 0%, 0% |
| 255, 255, 0 | 0%, 0%, 100%, 0% |
| 0, 0, 0 | 0%, 0%, 0%, 100% |
| 128, 128, 128 | 0%, 0%, 0%, 50% |
Frequently asked questions
What is pure red in CMYK?
0% cyan, 100% magenta, 100% yellow, 0% black.
Why do printed colors look duller?
CMYK inks cover a smaller range of colors (gamut) than RGB screens.
What is rich black?
Black printed with extra C, M and Y (e.g. 60, 40, 40, 100) for a deeper tone.
Should I convert to CMYK myself?
Use the printer’s specified profile in your design software for final files.