RGB to Pantone converter
Type a RGB code to get Pantone, plus every other code, the nearest RAL and Pantone, and the closest paint.
RGB code
Nearest Pantone 1665C
All codes
- HEX
- #D4551E
- RGB
- 212, 85, 30
- CMYK
- 0%, 60%, 86%, 17%
- HSL
- 18°, 75%, 47%
- HSV
- 18°, 86%, 83%
- LAB
- 52.5, 47.6, 54.0
- Nearest RAL
- 2009 Traffic Orange
- Closest paint
- Hempel 57100, Hempel
How RGB becomes Pantone
- Convert the RGB value to CIELAB, a color space where distance matches what the eye sees.
- Measure the ΔE2000 distance to all 907 Pantone colors and keep the smallest.
- The nearest is Pantone 1665C, ΔE 3.2. Under 2 is hard to tell apart; above 4 is only a substitute.
Pantone colors are printed inks. A screen value is an approximation, so the nearest Pantone is a starting point: confirm it in a physical Pantone guide.
When you need RGB to Pantone
When a color picked on screen has to become a printed brand color, you need the nearest Pantone ink. The converter compares your RGB to every Pantone in the library by ΔE2000.
Questions
How close is close enough?
Under 2 is hard to see; under 4 is fine for most print work. Above that, choose the nearest Pantone by eye in a printed guide.
Can I use CMYK instead of Pantone?
Yes, for most print jobs. Pantone is worth it when the color must match exactly across print runs and materials.