HSL stands for Hue (0-360°), Saturation (0-100%), Lightness (0-100%). It's often more intuitive for color adjustments.

Why use HSL over RGB?

HSL is easier for adjusting brightness/saturation without changing the base hue. Great for generating color schemes.

How do I convert RGB to HSL?

RGB values (0-255) are normalized to 0-1, then converted using formulas based on max/min values. Hue is calculated from the dominant color channel.

How do I convert HSL to RGB?

HSL values are converted using intermediate calculations. The hue determines which RGB channels are dominant, while saturation and lightness adjust the intensity.

What is the range of HSL values?

Hue: 0-360 degrees (color wheel), Saturation: 0-100% (intensity), Lightness: 0-100% (brightness). 0% lightness is black, 100% is white.

Can I use HSL in CSS?

Yes, CSS supports HSL format: hsl(hue, saturation%, lightness%). For example, hsl(120, 100%, 50%) is pure green.

RGB ↔ HSL Converter

Convert between RGB and HSL color models.

RGB ↔ HSL

R (0-255)*

G (0-255)*

B (0-255)*

H (0-360)*

S (0-100%)*

L (0-100%)*

CSS: hsl(15, 100%, 60%)

Conversion Guide

Conversion

R

RGB to HSL

Normalize RGB → Calculate HSL

RGB values are normalized and converted using max/min calculations

H

HSL to RGB

HSL → Calculate RGB Channels

HSL values determine RGB channel values through intermediate calculations

Step-by-Step Scenario

Example Scenario

RGB

R:255, G:100, B:50

Target

HSL

1

Normalize RGB Values

R: 255/255 = 1.0
G: 100/255 = 0.392
B: 50/255 = 0.196

Convert RGB values to 0-1 range

2

Calculate HSL

Find max (1.0) and min (0.196)
Hue: 20°
Saturation: 100%
Lightness: 60%

HSL(20, 100%, 60%)

Additional Examples

Pure Red

RGB: 255, 0, 0

HSL

HSL(0, 100%, 50%)

Pure Green

RGB: 0, 255, 0

HSL

HSL(120, 100%, 50%)

Characteristics of RGB ↔ HSL Conversion

Intuitive Color Control

HSL makes it easier to adjust brightness and saturation without changing the base hue, perfect for color scheme generation.

Real-Time Preview

See color changes instantly as you adjust RGB or HSL values. Live color preview helps visualize the conversion.

Bidirectional Conversion

Convert from RGB to HSL or HSL to RGB with equal accuracy. Both directions are calculated in real-time.

CSS Compatible

HSL format is directly compatible with CSS. Use the converted values in your stylesheets immediately.

Important Notes

RGB values range from 0-255 for each channel. HSL uses degrees (0-360) for hue and percentages (0-100%) for saturation and lightness.
When converting, RGB values are normalized to 0-1 range before HSL calculation. This ensures accurate color representation.
HSL is more intuitive for color adjustments. Changing lightness adjusts brightness, saturation adjusts intensity, and hue changes the color.
For web development, HSL is often preferred for generating color schemes and creating color variations.
The conversion formulas are mathematically precise. All color information is preserved during conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about RGB and HSL color conversion.