Hex to RGB Converter

Hex

RGB

What is Hex to RGB conversion?

Hex to RGB conversion is the process of converting hexadecimal color codes to RGB (Red, Green, Blue) values. Hexadecimal colors use base-16 notation with values from 00 to FF for each channel, while RGB uses decimal values from 0-255 for each color component.

For example, the hex color #ff0000 (pure red) converts to the RGB color rgb(255, 0, 0). This conversion is essential when working with different design tools, programming languages, or when you need decimal values for mathematical color operations.

How does Hex to RGB conversion work?

To convert hex to RGB, each pair of hexadecimal digits is converted from base-16 to decimal (base-10):

  1. Take the first two characters (red channel) and convert from hex to decimal
  2. Take the middle two characters (green channel) and convert from hex to decimal
  3. Take the last two characters (blue channel) and convert from hex to decimal
  4. Format as rgb(red, green, blue)

For hex colors with alpha transparency (#RRGGBBAA), the last two characters represent the alpha channel, which is converted to a decimal value between 0-255 and then normalized to 0-1 for the RGBA format.

Short hex notation

Hex colors can also be written in short 3-digit notation when each channel has identical digits. For example:

  • #f00 expands to #ff0000 → rgb(255, 0, 0)
  • #0f0 expands to #00ff00 → rgb(0, 255, 0)
  • #abc expands to #aabbcc → rgb(170, 187, 204)

Our converter automatically handles both 3-digit and 6-digit hex codes, expanding short notation as needed.

When do you need RGB values?

RGB values are useful in many scenarios:

  • Programming: Many programming languages work with RGB values
  • Image processing: Pixel manipulation often requires RGB components
  • Mathematical operations: Color calculations are easier with decimal values
  • Hardware programming: LED strips and displays often expect RGB values
  • Game development: 3D engines typically work with RGB components

Common Hex to RGB conversions

Here are some frequently converted colors:

  • #ffffff → rgb(255, 255, 255) (white)
  • #000000 → rgb(0, 0, 0) (black)
  • #ff0000 → rgb(255, 0, 0) (red)
  • #00ff00 → rgb(0, 255, 0) (green)
  • #0000ff → rgb(0, 0, 255) (blue)
  • #808080 → rgb(128, 128, 128) (gray)
Need to convert the other way? Use our RGB to Hex Converter to convert RGB values to hexadecimal color codes.