Why do screen colors look different when printed?

Screens use RGB (additive light) while printers use CMYK (subtractive ink). The color gamuts do not overlap perfectly, so some bright screen colors cannot be reproduced exactly in print.

Is the conversion mathematically exact?

The formula is exact for the sRGB-to-CMYK conversion, but printed output also depends on paper, ink, and printer calibration.

What does the K channel represent?

K stands for Key, which is black. Using a dedicated black ink produces sharper text and saves the other three inks.

Can I reverse this to get HEX from CMYK?

Yes. Use the CMYK to HEX tool for the reverse conversion.

HEX to CMYK Converter

Paste a HEX code and get the CMYK percentages for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.

Color

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu