Skip to content

CMYK to RGB Converter: Print to Screen Colors

Convert CMYK print color values to RGB screen colors.

Last updated

Four overlapping cyan, magenta, yellow, and black circles converting to three red, green, and blue light beams.CMYKRGB
Converting print colours to screen colours bridges subtractive and additive mixing.
r35
g94
b235
HEX#235EEB

About this conversion

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is a subtractive color model used in commercial printing. Ink absorbs light, so combining all four inks at full strength yields near-black. Each value is expressed as a percentage from 0 to 100, representing the amount of each ink applied to the paper.

RGB is an additive model used by monitors, phones, and any light-emitting display. Because the two models describe color in fundamentally different ways, converting between them involves a mathematical approximation. The on-screen result is as close as possible but may not be an exact match for the printed output. This difference is why print professionals use ICC profiles and proofing workflows. For guidance on reducing the gap between screen and print, see our printer color calibration guide.

Use this converter when you receive CMYK values from a print designer or a Pantone swatch book and need an RGB equivalent for web or app design. The tool also shows you the corresponding HEX code so you can drop it straight into your CSS.

If you're new to the difference between the two systems, our RGB vs CMYK guide walks through when each one wins and how to convert without surprise.

Venn diagram showing the CMYK and RGB colour gamuts overlapping, with labels on colours that exist in one gamut but not the other.CMYK vs RGB Colour GamutsCMYK(Subtractive)RGB(Additive)Deep metallicSpot inksRich blacksSharedcoloursNeon greenElectric blueVivid violetColours outside the overlap may shift when converting between models
Colours outside the overlap may shift when converting between models. Always verify with a printed proof.

Related content

CMYK Test PageColor Test Page

Was this page helpful?

Color conversions are mathematical approximations. For critical color work, verify against physical swatch books and printed proofs. See our methodology and full disclaimer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do CMYK and RGB produce different-looking colors?

CMYK is a subtractive model (ink absorbs light) while RGB is additive (screens emit light). They have different color gamuts, so a CMYK value converted to RGB is a mathematical approximation of how the ink color would appear on screen.

Is the CMYK to RGB conversion exact?

It is mathematically precise but not perceptually perfect. The formula maps CMYK percentages to RGB integers accurately, but the physical appearance of printed ink versus emitted light will always differ slightly.

When should I use CMYK to RGB conversion?

Use it when you receive CMYK values from a print designer or Pantone swatch book and need to display the color on screen (for example, in a website, app, or digital mockup).