Free & Instant Color Matching

Convert HEX to Pantone

HEX to Pantone conversion bridges the gap between digital screens and physical print. Find the closest Pantone (PMS) color match for any HEX color code — with accuracy scores, Coated & Uncoated options, and alternative suggestions. This free HEX to Pantone converter tool scans 2,000+ Pantone swatches using Delta-E color distance algorithms to deliver the most accurate Pantone color matching results.

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INPUT

Enter Your HEX Color

#
RGB 99, 102, 241
HSL 239°, 84%, 67%
CMYK 59%, 58%, 0%, 5%
Popular Colors
RESULT

Closest Pantone Match

90%
CLOSEST PANTONE MATCH

PANTONE 2726 C

#6366F1
Paper Type:

Alternative Matches

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ALL TOOLS

Color Conversion Tools

9 free converters for HEX, RGB, CMYK, and Pantone — pick a direction and convert instantly

HEX #6366F1
Pantone PMS 2726 C

HEX → Pantone

Find the closest Pantone PMS match for any HEX color code

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Pantone PMS 186 C
HEX #E63946

Pantone → HEX

Convert Pantone spot colors to 6-digit HEX codes for web use

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HEX #6366F1
RGB 99, 102, 241

HEX → RGB

Decode HEX color strings into Red, Green, Blue channel values

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RGB 34, 197, 94
HEX #22C55E

RGB → HEX

Encode RGB values (0-255) into compact hexadecimal notation

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HEX #6366F1
CMYK 59, 58, 0, 5

HEX → CMYK

Convert HEX web colors to CMYK percentages for print files

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RGB 34, 197, 94
Pantone PMS 354 C

RGB → Pantone

Match screen RGB values to the nearest Pantone spot color

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Pantone PMS 186 C
RGB 230, 57, 70

Pantone → RGB

Get RGB screen values for any Pantone ink reference

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CMYK 67, 0, 21, 30
Pantone PMS 3145 C

CMYK → Pantone

Find the closest Pantone match for CMYK process color builds

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Pantone PMS 186 C
CMYK 0, 95, 100, 0

Pantone → CMYK

Convert Pantone spot colors to CMYK process color breakdowns

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COLOR STANDARD

What is Pantone?

The global authority for standardized color communication in design and print

Pantone, officially the Pantone Matching System (PMS), is a proprietary color standardization system used across industries worldwide. Created by the Pantone Color Institute, PMS assigns a unique alphanumeric code to each color — for example, Pantone 186 C is a specific shade of red that looks identical whether printed in Tokyo, New York, or Berlin.

Unlike HEX color codes or the RGB color system that display colors through light on screens, Pantone colors are produced by mixing specific ink formulas. This makes Pantone the gold standard for digital-to-print color conversion, brand color guidelines, and any project requiring color accuracy across different materials and media.

The Pantone system includes over 2,000 spot colors in the Solid Coated & Uncoated libraries, plus extended ranges like the Pantone Goe system and Fashion, Home + Interiors (TPG/TCX) for textiles. Each year, the Pantone Color Institute announces the Pantone Color of the Year, which influences trends across fashion, interior design, and graphic design workflow standards globally.

Pantone Ink Mixing
PMS 186 C
PMS 7462 C
PMS 109 C
Hover an ink pot
186 C
1505 C
109 C
3285 C
7462 C
GUIDE

How to Use the HEX to Pantone Converter

Convert any HEX color code to its closest Pantone PMS match in 3 steps

01

Enter Your HEX Code

Type or paste your 6-digit HEX color code (e.g., #FF5733) into the input field without the # symbol. You can also use the built-in color picker or select from popular preset colors. The tool accepts any valid HEX color code from your design software — Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop color picker, Figma, or any CSS stylesheet.

02

Algorithm Calculates Matches

The HEX to Pantone converter tool analyzes your input color using Delta-E color distance algorithms across 2,000+ Pantone swatches. It compares your HEX code against the full Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated libraries within the sRGB color space to find the closest Pantone color match. Distance parameters determine how closely two colors align perceptually — a lower Delta-E means a closer match to human vision.

03

Copy & Download Results

View your closest Pantone match with an accuracy percentage, toggle between Coated (C) and Uncoated (U) paper types, and browse alternative Pantone color suggestions. Copy the Pantone code to your clipboard with one click, or download a reference file for your graphic design workflow. Share the result with your print vendor for accurate color calibration.

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APPLICATIONS

HEX to Pantone Converter Use Cases

8 industries where HEX to Pantone color matching is a daily necessity

Web Design

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Web designers convert HEX colors from CSS to Pantone for brand style guides that bridge web and print assets. This keeps logo and UI colors consistent across business cards, brochures, and packaging.

hex to pantone for web designers

Packaging Design

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Package designers use HEX to Pantone conversion to match on-screen mockup colors to physical packaging. Spot color accuracy on shelf-ready packaging directly affects brand recognition and purchase decisions.

hex to pantone in packaging

Branding Kits

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Brand managers build comprehensive branding kits with exact Pantone references for every HEX color in the digital identity. This prevents color drift when external vendors produce branded materials.

hex to pantone for branding kits

Fashion & Textiles

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Fashion designers translate digital mood board HEX colors into Pantone TCX references for fabric dyeing. Textile mills require Pantone codes to reproduce exact shades on cotton, silk, and synthetic materials.

hex to pantone for fashion lines

Interior Design

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Interior designers match digital color palettes to Pantone references for paint manufacturers. Converting HEX to Pantone for interior paints removes guesswork and returns consistent wall finishes.

hex to pantone for interior paints

Automotive Paint

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Automotive paint specialists convert HEX references from 3D renders into Pantone codes that paint manufacturers understand. This process keeps concept car colors identical to production models.

hex to pantone for automotive paint

Offset Printing

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Print shops convert client-supplied HEX colors to Pantone for offset printing runs. Spot color jobs require Pantone PMS references to mix inks accurately — CMYK process printing cannot match every HEX value.

hex to pantone for offset printing

Product Design

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Product designers translate HEX values from CAD renders into Pantone codes for manufacturing. Molded plastics, ceramic glazes, and surface coatings all rely on standardized Pantone references.

hex to pantone for product design
COMPARISON

Hex vs Pantone vs CMYK vs RGB

4 color systems designers work with — and when to use each one

DIGITAL
HEX RGB
HEX ↔ Pantone
Converter
PHYSICAL
Pantone CMYK
Property
HEX
Pantone (PMS)
CMYK
RGB
Full Name HexadecimalPantone Matching SystemCyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black)Red, Green, Blue
Type DigitalPhysical InkProcess InkLight-based
Format #RRGGBBPMS XXXX C/UC% M% Y% K%R, G, B (0-255)
Color Range 16.7 million2,000+ spot colors~16,000 reproducible16.7 million
Best For Screens (web, apps, UI)Print (offset, packaging, textiles)Print (magazines, posters, flyers)Screens (monitors, TVs, cameras)
Example
#6366F1
PMS 2726 C
C:60 M:58 Y:0 K:5
R:99 G:102 B:241
Strengths Universal web standard, easy to copy/paste, supported by all browsers and design tools.Exact color reproduction across any printer worldwide. Gold standard for brand color guidelines.Cost-effective for full-color printing using 4 standard inks. No special ink mixing.Native format for screens. Largest visible color gamut for digital displays.
Limitations Screen-only — no direct physical print equivalent. Colors shift between uncalibrated monitors.Requires licensed swatch books. Spot color printing costs more than CMYK process.Cannot match all Pantone spot colors. Neon and metallic shades are impossible with CMYK.Not usable for print. Colors look different on every uncalibrated display.

The HEX to Pantone converter bridges the gap between digital (HEX/RGB) and physical (Pantone/CMYK) color systems. Use it to translate web-safe colors into print-ready Pantone PMS references, so your designs look the same on screen and on paper.

CONVERSION

CMYK to Pantone Converter

Translate process colors into standardized Pantone spot colors

The CMYK color model (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) produces colors by combining 4 process inks on paper. While CMYK handles most full-color printing jobs, it cannot reproduce every Pantone spot color — especially neon, metallic, and ultra-vibrant shades outside the CMYK color gamut.

Converting CMYK to Pantone is common when a print shop needs to upgrade a process-color job to spot-color accuracy. Brand managers specify Pantone codes to guarantee their logo appears identical across all vendors, something CMYK process printing alone cannot promise.

Our HEX to Pantone converter tool can help indirectly: convert your CMYK values to HEX first (using any standard color converter), then enter that HEX code here to find the closest Pantone match. Tools like Pantone Connect and Adobe Color also provide direct CMYK-to-Pantone lookups for color management software workflows.

C M Y K
CMYK Input
#3F51B5
HEX Value
PMS 2736 C
CONVERSION

RGB to Pantone Converter

Match screen-based RGB values to physical Pantone ink references

R G B
RGB Input
#E91E63
HEX Value
PMS 213 C

The RGB color system (Red, Green, Blue) creates colors by combining light on screens. Every monitor, phone, and camera sensor uses RGB. But RGB values vary between devices — the same RGB code can look different on a MacBook, an Android phone, and a Dell monitor due to differences in color calibration and color gamut.

Converting RGB to Pantone solves this inconsistency for print. Pantone PMS codes are device-independent: PMS 213 C is the same pink everywhere, regardless of which screen displayed it first. This makes RGB to Pantone conversion a standard step in any graphic design workflow that spans digital and print.

To convert RGB to Pantone here: first translate your RGB values to HEX format (R:233 G:30 B:99 becomes #E91E63), then enter that HEX code into our converter. The algorithm scans the full Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated libraries to return the closest Pantone color matching result within the sRGB color space.

DESIGN

Best Pantone Colors for Logo Design

8 Pantone colors that designers pick most for logo and brand identity projects

Vibrant Red

PMS 186 C #E63946

Fast food, energy brands, sports teams. Red triggers urgency and appetite — used by 60%+ of food brands.

Classic Blue

PMS 286 C #0032A0

Finance, tech, healthcare. Blue signals trust and stability — the top choice for Fortune 500 logos.

Bold Green

PMS 354 C #00A651

Eco brands, organic products, wellness. Green communicates growth and sustainability.

Bright Yellow

PMS 109 C #F1C40F

Retail, entertainment, food. Yellow grabs attention faster than any other color on signage.

Royal Purple

PMS 2685 C #56288A

Luxury brands, cosmetics, premium services. Purple conveys sophistication and exclusivity.

Vivid Orange

PMS 021 C #FF6600

Tech startups, creative agencies, kids' brands. Orange balances energy with approachability.

Modern Teal

PMS 7467 C #00B2A9

SaaS products, fintech, health tech. Teal combines blue trust with green freshness.

Charcoal

PMS 432 C #333F48

Luxury fashion, editorial, architecture. Dark neutrals project authority and timelessness.

Choose logo colors with hex to pantone for logo consistency in mind. A HEX code on your website needs an exact Pantone PMS equivalent for business cards, signage, and merchandise. Use our converter to find the closest Pantone match for any HEX color in your brand palette.

PRINT

How Printers Use Pantone Colors

The 4-step workflow from Pantone specification to finished print product

01

Receive Pantone Spec

The designer sends a print file with Pantone PMS codes. The printer verifies each spot color against a physical Pantone Formula Guide or Color Bridge fan deck.

02

Mix Ink Formula

Each Pantone color has a proprietary ink mixing formula. The pressman measures and blends base inks by weight — PMS 186 C requires specific ratios of Pantone Rubine Red and Pantone Warm Red base inks.

03

Proof & Approve

A press proof is pulled and compared to the Pantone swatch under standardized D50 lighting. The client approves the proof before the full run begins. Color accuracy at this stage prevents expensive reprints.

04

Production Run

The press runs at full speed with the approved Pantone inks. Spot colors print on dedicated ink stations, separate from the CMYK process colors. This setup produces the most accurate brand color reproduction possible.

Understanding how printers use Pantone helps designers prepare files correctly. Start with our HEX to Pantone converter to translate your digital palette into the Pantone PMS codes your print vendor expects, then verify results against a physical Pantone swatch book for production-critical work.

WHY IT MATTERS

Why Is the Conversion of HEX to Colortone Essential?

4 reasons every designer needs reliable HEX to Pantone color matching

2,000+ Pantone colors in the Solid library
10M+ Designers who rely on PMS annually
100% Free conversions with our tool

Brand Consistency

Your logo, packaging, and marketing collateral display the same color whether viewed on a phone screen or printed on a billboard. HEX to Colortone conversion locks in a single color standard across every medium.

Faster Turnaround

Providing Pantone codes upfront eliminates back-and-forth color approvals with printers. The press operator mixes ink to the exact Pantone formula rather than guessing from a HEX screenshot.

Color Accuracy

HEX values can render differently across browsers and operating systems. Converting to Pantone anchors your color to a physical ink standard that does not shift with display calibration.

Cross-Media Design

Designers working on campaigns that span web ads, print mailers, textile merchandise, and event signage need a single color reference. Pantone PMS codes serve as that universal translator.

The conversion of HEX to Colortone is not optional for professional design work — it is the step that turns a screen-only color into a printable, reproducible standard. Use our free online color conversion tool to convert HEX to Colortone instantly.

TUTORIAL

How to Convert HEX to Colortone Online?

6 steps to convert any HEX color code to its Pantone equivalent using our free tool

1

Open the HEX to Colortone Converter

Go to hextopantone.com — the free online color conversion tool. No sign-up or download required. The converter loads instantly in any modern browser on desktop, tablet, or mobile.

2

Enter Your HEX Color Code

Type or paste your 6-character HEX code into the input field. Enter HEX codes without the # symbol (e.g., FF5733). You can also click the color picker to select a color visually, or choose from the popular presets below the input.

3

Select Paper Type

Toggle between Coated (C) for glossy and semi-gloss paper stocks, or Uncoated (U) for matte and textured paper. Coated swatches appear more vivid; uncoated swatches look softer. Pick the type that matches your final print medium.

4

Review Your Pantone Match

The converter displays the closest Pantone color match with an accuracy percentage, the Pantone code name, and a side-by-side color preview. Matches above 90% are considered excellent for most design applications.

5

Explore Alternatives

Below the primary match, browse 4 alternative Pantone suggestions ranked by closeness. Each alternative shows its accuracy score — useful when you need a color that better fits a specific Pantone range or print process.

6

Copy or Download

Click 'Copy Code' to save the Pantone name to your clipboard, or click 'Download' to export a color reference file. Share results directly with your print vendor or paste the code into your brand color guidelines document.

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EDUCATION

What are HEX Colors?

How 6 characters encode 16.7 million colors for the web

A HEX color code is a 6-character alphanumeric string prefixed with # that represents a specific color in the RGB color system. Each pair of characters encodes one channel: Red, Green, and Blue. Values range from 00 (no intensity) to FF (full intensity) in hexadecimal notation, producing 256 × 256 × 256 = 16,777,216 possible colors.

For example, #FF0000 is pure red (Red at full, Green and Blue at zero). #000000 is black (all channels at zero) and #FFFFFF is white (all channels at maximum). HEX codes are the standard color format for CSS, HTML, and web-safe colors used in every website and web application.

HEX and RGB are two notations for the same color model — they are mathematically interchangeable. HEX #6366F1 equals RGB(99, 102, 241). Designers working in Adobe Illustrator, Figma, or any Photoshop color picker can switch between HEX and RGB freely. The key limitation: HEX/RGB colors exist only on screens. To reproduce a HEX color on paper, fabric, or packaging, convert it to a Pantone PMS code using a HEX to Pantone converter tool.

# 63 66 F1
99
102
241
← Red ← Green ← Blue
FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HEX to Pantone color conversion

Enter your HEX code (e.g., #FF5733) into our converter to find the closest Pantone match. The tool scans 2,000+ Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated swatches using Delta-E color distance algorithms and returns the best match with an accuracy percentage. For example, HEX #FF0000 maps closest to Pantone 186 C, HEX #0000FF maps to Pantone 293 C, and HEX #00FF00 maps to Pantone 354 C.

The HEX to Pantone converter is a free online color conversion tool that translates 6-digit hexadecimal color codes into their closest Pantone Matching System (PMS) equivalents. It compares your input against the full Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated libraries and returns the best match along with alternative suggestions. No sign-up, software download, or Pantone Connect subscription is required.

Accuracy depends on the specific color. HEX colors use the RGB color system (light-based, for screens), while Pantone uses proprietary ink formulas. Some HEX colors have near-exact Pantone equivalents (95-100% match), while others — especially neon, metallic, or very saturated shades outside the Pantone color gamut — may score lower. Matches above 90% are excellent for most design applications. For production-critical jobs, verify your match against a physical Pantone swatch book.

Distance parameters measure how different two colors appear to the human eye. Our converter uses Delta-E (ΔE) — a metric defined by the International Commission on Illumination (CIE). A Delta-E of 0 means identical colors. Values under 1 are imperceptible to most people, 1-3 are noticeable only to trained eyes, and values above 5 show a clear visible difference. The converter uses these distance parameters to rank Pantone matches from closest to furthest.

HEX colors exist only on screens and look different across devices, browsers, and operating systems. Converting HEX to Colortone (Pantone) provides a device-independent, physically reproducible color standard. This is necessary for brand consistency across digital and print, accurate color communication with print vendors, and preventing costly reprints due to color mismatch.

Yes. HEXtoPantone is 100% free with no sign-up required. Convert unlimited colors, toggle between Coated and Uncoated paper types, browse alternative Pantone matches, copy codes to your clipboard, and download color reference files — all at no cost.