Understanding Colour Values: HEX vs RGB vs CMYK

HEX (Hexadecimal) colour values are commonly used in websites and digital platforms.

A HEX colour is written as a six-character code, preceded by a hash symbol (#), for example:

#005EB8

How HEX Works

• The six characters represent red, green, and blue colour values.

• Each pair of characters controls the intensity of one colour channel.

• Values range from 00 (no colour) to FF (full colour).

Why the CMS Uses HEX

• Widely supported across browsers and web platforms

• Compact and easy to store

• Ensures consistent colour rendering across the site

✅ Only HEX colour values are supported in the CMS. Other formats must be converted before being entered.

💡 RGB Colour Values (Screen-Based)

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values are also used for digital screens but are written differently.

An RGB colour looks like this:

rgb(0, 94, 184)

How RGB Works

• Each value represents the intensity of red, green, and blue

• Values range from 0 to 255

• Commonly used in design software and image editing tools

❌ RGB values cannot be entered directly into the CMS and must be converted to HEX first.

🖨️ CMYK Colour Values (Print-Based)

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) values are used primarily for printed materials such as brochures, banners, and signage.

A CMYK colour looks like this:

C:100 M:75 Y:0 K:0

How CMYK Works

• Designed for ink-based printing

• Colours are created by mixing ink percentages

• Not suitable for web or digital platforms

❌ CMYK values are not supported in the CMS and must be converted to HEX for digital use.

🔄 Converting Colours to HEX

If your colour is provided in RGB or CMYK format, you’ll need to convert it to HEX before entering it into the CMS.

Most design tools (such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma) can display HEX values automatically. There are also online colour converters available.

📝 Summary