Hex Color Code: The Complete Guide

Master hex color codes for your web projects. Learn how to use, find, and implement hexadecimal color codes with our interactive tools and comprehensive resources.

#FF5733 → RGB(255, 87, 51)

#3498DB → RGB(52, 152, 219)

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Interactive Hex Color Code Picker

Use our interactive color picker to find the perfect hex code for your web design projects. Simply select your color and instantly get the corresponding hex color code.

HEX

RGB

HSL

What is a Hex Color Code?

A hex color code is a way of specifying color using hexadecimal values. It's the standard method for defining colors in HTML, CSS, and many other computing applications.

Hex color codes always start with a pound sign (#) followed by six hexadecimal digits (0-9 and A-F). These six characters define the precise color by representing the red, green, and blue components of the color.

Hex Code Structure

#RRGGBB

RR: Red component (00-FF)
GG: Green component (00-FF)
BB: Blue component (00-FF)

Each pair of characters represents a value from 0 (00) to 255 (FF) in hexadecimal notation.

Common Hex Color Codes

Pure Red

#FF0000

FF = Maximum Red (255)

00 = No Green (0)

00 = No Blue (0)

Pure Green

#00FF00

00 = No Red (0)

FF = Maximum Green (255)

00 = No Blue (0)

Pure Blue

#0000FF

00 = No Red (0)

00 = No Green (0)

FF = Maximum Blue (255)

Using Hex Color Codes in Web Development

Hex Colors in CSS

.header {
  background-color: #4A90E2;
  color: #FFFFFF;
}

.button {
  background-color: #FF5733;
  border: 2px solid #E74C3C;
}

p {
  color: #333333; /* Dark gray */
}

Hex Colors in HTML

<!-- Using hex codes for inline styling -->
<div style="color: #4A90E2;">
  This text is sky blue
</div>

<p style="background-color: #F5F5F5; 
          color: #333333;">
  Gray text on light gray background
</p>

<span style="border: 3px solid #FF3B30;">
  Red border
</span>

Hex Color Tips & Tricks

•
3-digit shorthand: If each channel has repeated digits (e.g., #FFAA33), you can use shorthand notation (#FA3).
•
Modern alpha support: Modern browsers support 8-digit hex with alpha values (e.g., #FF000080 for semi-transparent red).
•
Color variables: In modern CSS, store hex codes as variables: :root { --primary: #4A90E2; }
•
Accessibility: Ensure sufficient color contrast for text readability. The WCAG recommends a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.

Hex to RGB Converter

Try our simple converter to transform hex color codes into RGB values:

Enter HEX Color Code:

Color Preview

#4A90E2

RGB Equivalent:

rgb(74, 144, 226)

RGB values range from 0 to 255 for each channel (Red, Green, Blue). These values determine the intensity of each color component in the final color.

For more advanced conversions, check out our full Hex to RGB converter.

Advantages of Using Hex Color Codes

Precision & Consistency

Hex color codes provide precise color definitions that display consistently across browsers and devices. With over 16 million possible colors, you can find exactly the shade you need for your design.

Compatibility

Hex color codes are universally supported in web development. They work seamlessly with HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and virtually all design software, making them the industry standard for color definition.

Efficiency

Hex codes are compact and efficient, requiring just 7 characters to define a color (including the # symbol). This conciseness makes them easy to remember, share, and implement in your code.

Understanding the Hexadecimal System

The hexadecimal (or hex) system is a base-16 number system, using 16 distinct symbols: 0-9 to represent values zero to nine, and A-F to represent values ten to fifteen.

In the context of color codes, hex values are used to represent the intensity of the red, green, and blue color channels, with 00 being the minimum (no intensity) and FF being the maximum (full intensity).

Decimal to Hexadecimal Conversion

Decimal	Hexadecimal
0	0
10	A
15	F
16	10
255	FF

Why Use Hexadecimal for Colors?

Computers store color information in bytes, with each byte representing a value from 0 to 255. Hexadecimal is an efficient way to represent byte values because:

Each hex digit represents exactly 4 bits (half a byte)
Two hex digits can represent exactly 1 byte (8 bits)
Values 0-255 can be represented with just two characters (00-FF)

This makes hex codes a compact and efficient way to represent RGB colors, which are made up of three 8-bit channels (red, green, and blue).

Pro Tip:

To get comfortable with hex color codes, try starting with the primary colors (#FF0000 for red, #00FF00 for green, and #0000FF for blue) and experiment by adjusting the values to see how the color changes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hex Color Codes

What is the difference between hex and RGB color codes?

Hex and RGB color codes represent the same colors but use different notation systems. Hex codes use a hexadecimal (base-16) system with the format #RRGGBB, while RGB uses decimal values in the format rgb(R, G, B). For example, the color red can be represented as #FF0000 in hex or rgb(255, 0, 0) in RGB. They are functionally equivalent, but hex codes are more compact and are the traditional standard in web development.

How can I find the hex code for a specific color?

There are several ways to find the hex code for a specific color:

1. Use our interactive color picker tool above to visually select your color.
2. Use the color picker tool in design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Figma.
3. Use browser developer tools to inspect elements with the color you want.
4. Use our image color extractor to pull colors from images.
5. Search for color name to hex code lists if you know the name of your color.

Can I use hex color codes with transparency?

Yes, modern CSS supports 8-digit hex codes where the last two digits represent the alpha (transparency) value. For example, #FF0000FF is solid red, while #FF000080 is red with 50% transparency. The alpha values range from 00 (completely transparent) to FF (completely opaque). However, for better browser compatibility, especially with older browsers, you might want to use the rgba() function instead, which explicitly handles transparency: rgba(255, 0, 0, 0.5) for red with 50% transparency.

What are web-safe hex colors?

Web-safe colors are a palette of 216 colors that were designed to display consistently across all browsers and operating systems in the early days of the web when many monitors could only display 256 colors. These colors use the values 00, 33, 66, 99, CC, and FF for each of the RGB components in hex code. For example, #0099FF would be a web-safe color. While modern displays can handle millions of colors, web-safe colors can still be useful for ensuring maximum compatibility or creating retro designs.

How do I choose accessible color combinations with hex codes?

To choose accessible color combinations, focus on creating sufficient contrast between text and background colors. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) recommend a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. You can use contrast checker tools where you input your hex codes to verify if your color combinations meet these standards. Additionally, avoid relying solely on color to convey information, as this can be problematic for users with color vision deficiencies. Use our color tools to test contrast and find accessible combinations that work for everyone.

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