What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (2024)

As designers, we work with colors a lot (shocking, I know!). There are different letter and number codes for these, depending on where they are being used. For the web, we generally use hex codes, and are often asked what hex codes are, so here we go:

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (1)Hex codes are a hexadecimal format for identifying colors. This is a system used in HTML, CSS and SVG. Each hex code refers to a very specific color, which allows for two designers or a designer and developer to be on the same page about what exact light blue (or any other color) they are referring to. They are always a six-digit code, which contains three pieces of information:

  1. The first two digits provide information about the amount of Red in a color
  2. The second two digits provide information about the amount of Green
  3. The last two digits provide information about the amount of Blue.

This took me a while to figure out, but when I did, it got me unreasonably excited for a skill that doesn’t have too much of a daily life application. In our work as designers we are constantly using hex codes for colors, but until about five minutes ago I couldn’t really explain to you how they work. Why do they include numbers and letters? Why don’t letters and numbers appear to have an order? Now that I have actually figured it out, I’m going to try breaking it down for you in a step by step manner so that the next time you are choosing a color for a project, you’ll understand this enigmatic 6-digit alphanumeric sequence.

Step 01 – Identify the Red, Green, and Blue (RGB) values

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (2)Each of these primary colors is measured on a scale of 0-255. First, identify how much of each is present in the hue and write the values down. For this example, I am going to use the Opus Red.

Step 02 – Math

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (3)Similar to how the binary system is based on 2, the hexadecimal system is based on the number 16. There might be a smarter and faster way to divide, but for this system at the good old long division method worked best for me. Starting with Red, divide the three values noted down in the previous step by 16.
The factor that you come to at the top of your long division (the blue number in the diagram) is the first value in each couplet. The remainder at the bottom of your long division (the yellow number in the diagram) is the second value.

Step 03 – Convert the numbers to letters

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (4)In certain cases (like the R-value in this example) the numbers that you arrive at after long division are in the teens and have two digits. Using two digits for a single value breaks the system of #RRGGBB. This is where alphabets come in. The letters A, B, C, D, E, and F replace the values 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15 respectively.

The Result

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (5)So here you have it: the hex code for the Opus Red is #FC3C43.
Enjoy your new-found knowledge about hexcodes, and let us know if there are any other mysterious terms we can learn about together.

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design (2024)

FAQs

What are hex codes for colors - Opus Design? ›

There are many free online color picker tools that make it very easy to get the hex color code for a specific image. Generally, all you have to do is either paste in an image URL or upload your image into the color picker tool and select a color pixel. You'll get the hex color code and RGB values.

How do you find out what a colors hex code is? ›

There are many free online color picker tools that make it very easy to get the hex color code for a specific image. Generally, all you have to do is either paste in an image URL or upload your image into the color picker tool and select a color pixel. You'll get the hex color code and RGB values.

What is a HEX color for graphic design? ›

HEX Color Codes are a six-digit sequence, including letters or numbers, which define how much red, green, and blue a specific color contains. These are assigned in values between 00 and FF.

How do you guess the hex code of a color? ›

The first 2 digits tell us how much Red is used, the next two digits tell us how much Green there is, and you guessed it, the last 2 digits relate to how much Blue is in the mix. With this in mind, let's look at a quick example to visualize this before moving on: #000000 Is a well-known HEX code that shows as Black.

What is the hex format of color? ›

HEX Color Values

Where rr (red), gg (green) and bb (blue) are hexadecimal values between 00 and ff (same as decimal 0-255). For example, #ff0000 is displayed as red, because red is set to its highest value (ff), and the other two (green and blue) are set to 00.

What is the difference between color code and hex code? ›

RGB is a color gamut of light using red, green, and blue to render colors onscreen. When designing for web, digital, or TV the RGB color system is used. HEX, which stands for Hexadecimal, is also used onscreen and is basically a short code for RGB color. A HEX color is a six-digit combination of letters and numbers.

How to convert RGB to hex? ›

All you have to do then - and I do mean all you have to do - is divide this number by 16. Given RGB values, where all three are 0-255 (0, 0, 0 being black and 255, 255, 255 being white), use the equation: R/16 = x + y/16. G/16 = x' + y'/16.

Which is better hex or RGB? ›

There is no informational difference between RGB and HEX colors; they are simply different ways of communicating the same thing – a red, green, and blue color value. HEX, along with its sister RGB, is one of the color languages used in coding, such as CSS. HEX is a numeric character based reference of RGB numbers.

What are color codes in design? ›

Color codes are ways of representing the colors we see everyday in a format that a computer can interpret and display. Commonly used in websites and other software applications, there are a variety of formats, including Hex color codes, RGB and HSL values, and HTML color names, amongst others.

What is the difference between CMYK and RGB hex code? ›

The decision to use CMYK or HEX codes hinges on the medium of the brand material. CMYK is indispensable for print, where color accuracy directly impacts the physical appearance of the brand. Conversely, HEX codes are tailored for digital use, where color consistency across screens is paramount.

Are hex color codes universal? ›

Internationally recognized, these codes provide a universal language of color, ensuring that the specific shade you're referring to is crystal clear, no matter who you're communicating with. The structure of a hex code starts with a hash symbol (#), followed by six alphanumeric characters.

What does hex format look like? ›

The hexadecimal system contains 16 sequential numbers as base units, including 0. The first nine numbers (0 to 9) are the same ones commonly used in the decimal system. The next six two-digit numbers (10 to 15) are represented by the letters A through F.

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