Skip to main content
Tina-Soulelle
Tina-Soulelle
Participating Frequently
July 13, 2020
Answered

Where can I find the hex code in Photoshop 2020?

  • July 13, 2020
  • 2 replies
  • 39904 views

In the Photoshop 2020 this lovely hex code in the bottom has disappear and I wonder why? I really need this  when I'm working with the color.

I have only RGB code and before I also have hex code in the bottom to see the right color. I am working with color in Photoshop and find this disappointment when hex code disappear. Can I search or in the settings area find a way where I can show hex code again?

    Correct answer davescm

    @ktgilead If you are working in an 8 bit/channel or 16 bit/channel document, use the eyedropper tool to get the color picker and read off the hex code. That is it.

    Be aware though, that the hex code you read is dependant on the colour profile of your document. The same colour will have different Hex codes in sRGB, AdobeRGB, ProPhoto etc  When using a Hex code for entry elsewhere you really need to know which profile the entry field expects the Hex codes to be referenced to. Most, incorrectly, do not specify that reference profile, and just assume it will be referenced to sRGB. In that case make sure your document is also in sRGB (use Convert to profile if it is not) before reading the code.

     

    Dave

    2 replies

    D Fosse
    Community Expert
    D FosseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 13, 2020

    Yes, Dave is right. Hex code is a bad habit, a leftover from the old days before modern color management was invented. It will not give you accurate color unless you also specify a color space like sRGB, Adobe RGB etc.

     

    It wasn't any more accurate back then, but as long as everyone stayed within an sRGB environment, using CRT monitors, it would at least be ballpark. It still is, but you can't even think about any other color space than sRGB. Then the numbers go off the map.

     

    My theory is that hex gained widespread use because it looks geekish and computer-like, so it gives a sense of "precision". Which is utterly false. As Dave says, it's just base 16 RGB numbers.

      Tina-Soulelle
      Tina-SoulelleAuthor
      Participating Frequently
      July 13, 2020

      Thank you also D_Fosse for your answer and your thought about this.

      davescm
      Community Expert
      davescmCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      July 13, 2020

      Are you working in 8 bit or 16 bits/channel ?

      If you are in 32 bit linear then a different colour picker is used and hex codes would be completely meaningless* in such a colour space.

       

      * Actually Hex codes without the context of a particular color space are meaningless anyway and should be dropped from all color pickers. They are just RGB numbers in base16 and do not describe a particular colour unless they are accompanied by "in xxxxx color space"

       

       

      Dave

        Tina-Soulelle
        Tina-SoulelleAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        July 13, 2020

        Thank you for replaying Dave! And also of what you think here about the ability of hex code. Thank you once again.

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices