What is Hex Color?
Hex Color is a six-digit alphanumeric representation of colors used in web design and digital graphics, consisting of three pairs of hexadecimal values (00-FF) representing red, green, and blue color channels.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Hexadecimal Color Code |
|---|---|
| Created | 1996 (CSS1 specification) |
| Specification | Official Specification |
How It Works
Hexadecimal color codes are the most widely used color notation in web development and digital design. The format uses a hash symbol (#) followed by six characters, where each pair represents the intensity of red, green, and blue (RGB) on a scale from 00 (no color) to FF (full intensity). For example, #FF0000 represents pure red, #00FF00 represents pure green, and #0000FF represents pure blue. A shorthand notation (#RGB) can be used when each pair consists of identical characters, so #FF6600 can be written as #F60. Modern CSS also supports 8-digit hex codes (#RRGGBBAA) where the last two digits represent alpha (opacity), with 00 being fully transparent and FF being fully opaque.
Key Characteristics
- Uses base-16 numbering system with characters 0-9 and A-F
- Format: #RRGGBB or shorthand #RGB for repeated digits
- Supports 16.7 million colors (256 × 256 × 256)
- Case-insensitive (#FF0000 equals #ff0000)
- 8-digit format (#RRGGBBAA) supports alpha transparency
- Universal browser and design software support
Common Use Cases
- CSS styling for web page colors (text, backgrounds, borders)
- Graphic design software color specification
- Brand color guidelines and style guides
- UI/UX design system color tokens
- Email template and newsletter styling
Example
Loading code...Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 6-digit and 8-digit hex color codes?
A 6-digit hex color code (#RRGGBB) specifies red, green, and blue channels only, resulting in a fully opaque color. An 8-digit hex color code (#RRGGBBAA) adds two additional digits for the alpha channel, allowing you to specify transparency. The alpha value ranges from 00 (fully transparent) to FF (fully opaque).
How do I convert RGB values to hex color codes?
To convert RGB to hex, convert each RGB value (0-255) to its hexadecimal equivalent (00-FF). For example, RGB(255, 128, 0) becomes #FF8000 because 255 = FF, 128 = 80, and 0 = 00. You can use the formula: hex = value.toString(16).padStart(2, '0') in JavaScript for each channel.
When should I use hex color shorthand notation?
Use the 3-digit shorthand (#RGB) when each pair of digits in the full form is identical. For example, #FFFFFF can be written as #FFF, and #336699 can be written as #369. This saves space in your CSS but only works when the digit pairs are the same. Note that #F60 expands to #FF6600, not #F60F60.
Are hex color codes case-sensitive?
No, hex color codes are case-insensitive. #FF5733, #ff5733, and #Ff5733 all represent the same color. However, for consistency and readability, most style guides recommend using either all uppercase (#FF5733) or all lowercase (#ff5733) throughout your project.
Why do designers prefer hex colors over RGB in web design?
Designers often prefer hex colors because they are more compact (6-7 characters vs. 13+ for rgb()), easier to copy and share, universally recognized in design tools, and have been the standard notation since the early days of CSS. However, RGB and HSL offer better readability for programmatic color manipulation.