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CMYK input gives different RGB while RGB gives right CMYK

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
October 1, 2019
5 replies
4304 views

Hello,

There are many topics about CMYK and RGB colors but I can't find an answer to the following issue.

The values I have are:

CMYK: 68/18/0/0

RGB: 34/170/238
HEX: #22aaee

If I go to the color picker and I type in the RGB code I get these exact values back:

No problem so far.

BUT if I type in 68/18/0/0 I get different RGB and hexagon codes back, and the color looks less bright: (you first have to select another color, before entering 68/18/0/0 and seeing the change)

The difference is quite big! Below you can see the output for typing in the CMYK, RGB and Hexagon code.

I printed this out, and also there the difference is the same. Now I do get that CMYK and RGB are different and that they look different as well, but what I don't get is that RGB and Hexagon are giving me a CMYK code, and while typing in that same CMYK code the color:

- looks completely different

- gives other RGB and hexagon code back

Do you have any advice on this?

There is no difference for me between RGB and CMYK color mode.

What would you advice?

Using CMYK color mode and type in the RGB code?
Take another CMYK value to match at least the look and feel of the code?

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Test Screen Name

There's a simple rule of thumb. If anyone ever gives you a CMYK and RGB number together, it's almost certain they don't understand colour management, because there isn't a fixed conversion. It's like changing currency (if that makes any sense): the rate you got on your last holiday may well be different this holiday, but some people go away with the rate from their first holiday and ever after treat this as the one and only rate. Anyway, it's very important to understand that the CMYK to RGB and back again numbers you get only will happen on your computer with YOUR settings, they aren't in any sense universal.

RGB and hex codes are different. This is just two different ways of writing the same thing, not a conversion at all.

Ton Frederiks

Community Expert

Aniek, in your first screendump, where you gave in the RGB values, you will notice a warning triangle.

When you hover over it it will say: “Out of Gamut Warning (click to correct).

This warns you that your RGB color cannot be reproduced in your CMYK.

Illustrator will convert it to a closest possible CMYK color.

If you enter these closest possible CMYK values, the closest possible RGB will be chosen and that will never be the RGB color that cannot be reproduced in CMYK.

Hope that explains the changing numbers.

A

aniekb51366507Author

Participant

Thanks a lot everyone for your help! I will dive into the links you send to me and find a way to match the colors for all purposes!

T

Test Screen NameCorrect answer

Legend

There's a simple rule of thumb. If anyone ever gives you a CMYK and RGB number together, it's almost certain they don't understand colour management, because there isn't a fixed conversion. It's like changing currency (if that makes any sense): the rate you got on your last holiday may well be different this holiday, but some people go away with the rate from their first holiday and ever after treat this as the one and only rate. Anyway, it's very important to understand that the CMYK to RGB and back again numbers you get only will happen on your computer with YOUR settings, they aren't in any sense universal.

RGB and hex codes are different. This is just two different ways of writing the same thing, not a conversion at all.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

Often you will get both the values when someone doesn't want you to use automatically converted colors.

carlosgarro

Community Expert

As Monika says it depends on Color Management, but to keep simple: use RGB for screen purposes (web, banners, video) and use CMYK for print. Do you need both? Establish the value in RGB and another for CMYK.

Monika Gause

Community Expert

The conversion between the colors will always depend on your color management settings. So depending on which system you put in, you need to expect different results. Where did you get the initial numbers from?

You need to learn about color management. Now.

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/understanding-color-management.html

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