What formula does the CMYK to RGB converter use?

It uses R = 255 × (1 − C/100) × (1 − K/100), and the same shape for G with M and B with Y. The formula is the textbook subtractive-to-additive mapping.

Why does CMYK(0, 0, 0, 0) come out as pure white?

Zero ink coverage on every channel means the paper shows through unmodified, which is treated as #ffffff on screen.

Will the screen color exactly match my printer?

No. CMYK is device-dependent: ink mixing, paper finish, and the printer profile (US Web Coated, Fogra, etc.) all change the appearance. This conversion is a generic approximation for screen preview only.

Can I round-trip RGB → CMYK → RGB?

The reverse conversion (RGB → CMYK) is not unique because CMYK has four channels and RGB has three, so round-tripping can produce small drift. Use this tool only for one-direction screen previews.

CMYK to RGB Converter

Convert CMYK percentages to RGB and hex with the standard print-to-screen formula.

Written by Golam Rabbani, Founder & Lead Engineer

This interactive tool requires JavaScript. Read the formula and worked example below; you can compute the result by hand.

How to use this cmyk to rgb converter

Enter your CMYK percentages: C (cyan), M (magenta), Y (yellow), K (key/black) — each 0 to 100.
Press Convert to RGB to compute the matching sRGB triple.
Read the hex code, the RGB(r, g, b) string, and the formula shown beneath the result.
Use Copy result to put the conversion on your clipboard for pasting into CSS, design tools, or specs.

About this cmyk to rgb converter

The CMYK to RGB converter applies the standard print-to-screen conversion formula, treating each CMYK channel as a 0–100 percentage of ink coverage. It computes R = 255 × (1 − C/100) × (1 − K/100), G = 255 × (1 − M/100) × (1 − K/100), and B = 255 × (1 − Y/100) × (1 − K/100), then rounds to integers. The result is the closest sRGB approximation of the printed color on a generic display.

Worked example: CMYK(70, 50, 0, 5) gives R = 255 × 0.30 × 0.95 = 73, G = 255 × 0.50 × 0.95 = 121, and B = 255 × 1.00 × 0.95 = 242, which renders as hex #4979F2 — a desaturated cornflower blue.

Keep in mind that real CMYK output depends on the printer profile, ink, and paper. This converter is a screen-side approximation suitable for previewing print colors in browser mockups; final colors should still be proofed with the press profile (for example a CMYK ICC) before going to production.

FAQ

What formula does the CMYK to RGB converter use?: It uses R = 255 × (1 − C/100) × (1 − K/100), and the same shape for G with M and B with Y. The formula is the textbook subtractive-to-additive mapping.
Why does CMYK(0, 0, 0, 0) come out as pure white?: Zero ink coverage on every channel means the paper shows through unmodified, which is treated as #ffffff on screen.
Will the screen color exactly match my printer?: No. CMYK is device-dependent: ink mixing, paper finish, and the printer profile (US Web Coated, Fogra, etc.) all change the appearance. This conversion is a generic approximation for screen preview only.
Can I round-trip RGB → CMYK → RGB?: The reverse conversion (RGB → CMYK) is not unique because CMYK has four channels and RGB has three, so round-tripping can produce small drift. Use this tool only for one-direction screen previews.