What is the difference between HSL and HSV?

Both models use Hue (0–360°) and Saturation (0–100%). They differ in the third channel: HSL uses Lightness, where 50% is a pure color and 100% is white. HSV uses Value (Brightness), where 100% is a pure color and 0% is black. A fully saturated red is hsl(0, 100%, 50%) in HSL but hsv(0, 100%, 100%) in HSV.

Does the Hue value change between HSL and HSV?

No. The Hue angle (0–360°) is identical in both models. Only the Saturation and the third channel (Lightness vs Value) differ.

Why is the Saturation value different in HSL vs HSV for the same color?

The Saturation formulas differ. In HSV, saturation measures chroma relative to brightness. In HSL, it measures chroma relative to the mid-lightness point. The same physical color will therefore have a different numeric saturation in each model.

Which model should I use in CSS?

CSS natively supports hsl() and the newer hwb() but not hsv(). Use the HSL values directly in your stylesheets. Convert to HSV only when you need to hand off colors to tools like Photoshop, GIMP, or Figma that expose an HSV/HSB picker.

Is HSV the same as HSB?

Yes. HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) is an alternative name for the same color model. The math and channel ranges are identical.

HSL to HSV Converter

Name: HSL to HSV Converter
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Enter HSL values to get the equivalent HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color instantly, with a live swatch and reverse conversion.

HSL Input

Hue (0 – 360)

Saturation (0 – 100 %)

Lightness (0 – 100 %)

Color Picker

hsl(210, 80%, 55%)

HSV Output

Hue (°)

Saturation (%)

Value (%)

Reverse: HSV to HSL

Drag the sliders to build a color from HSV — the HSL values update live.

Hue 210°

Saturation 89%

Value (Brightness) 99%

Copied!

Summary

Enter HSL values to get the equivalent HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) color instantly, with a live swatch and reverse conversion.

How it works

Enter the Hue (0–360), Saturation (0–100), and Lightness (0–100) values in the HSL input fields.
The equivalent HSV values update instantly in the output panel.
A live color swatch previews the exact color being converted.
Use the HSV sliders in the reverse panel to build a color from HSV and see HSL update.
Click any Copy button to grab the formatted value for your project.

Use cases

Translate CSS hsl() values into HSV for image-editing software like Photoshop or GIMP
Cross-reference color models when working with design tokens
Build interactive color pickers that expose both HSL and HSV channels
Understand how the same color is described differently across color models
Validate color transformations during UI or brand kit development
Convert palette colors from web CSS format (HSL) into video or print tools that use HSV

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed by Nham Vu