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Unit converters

RGB to CMYK converter

Enter the red, green and blue channel values (0–255), and the converter computes approximate cyan, magenta, yellow and black (CMYK) percentages used in four-color printing.

Your data never leaves this device

Result

Cyan (C)
Magenta (M)
Yellow (Y)
Black (K)
CMYK string

This page has no server side at all. The table you paste is parsed by JavaScript inside your own browser, the chart is drawn on a canvas element on your machine, and the export file is assembled locally. Nothing is uploaded, stored or written to any log. You can disconnect from the network after the page has loaded and everything will still work — which is the simplest way to verify the claim yourself.

Facts and limits of this method

Black formula K = 1 − max(R, G, B) / 255
Cyan formula C = (1 − R/255 − K) / (1 − K)
Input range R, G, B from 0 to 255
Output range C, M, Y, K from 0% to 100%

When it misleads you

How it is calculated

R, G and B values are normalized by dividing by 255, giving numbers from 0 to 1.

The black channel K is computed as one minus the maximum of the normalized R, G, B — the darker the source color, the higher K is.

Each of cyan, magenta and yellow is computed as (1 − channel − K) / (1 − K), which removes the black contribution from the color components.

The resulting C, M, Y and K fractions are multiplied by 100 and rounded to give print-ready percentages.

Questions and answers

Why does CMYK look different on screen than on paper?

A screen displays light (RGB), while paper shows reflected light after ink is applied (CMYK), so the final printed shade should always be checked with a proof.

Can I use these percentages directly in a print layout?

As a guideline, yes, but before printing a run it's worth confirming exact values against the specific print shop's color profile.

Why doesn't C + M + Y + K add up to 100%?

That's normal: each CMYK channel is an independent ink-coverage percentage, not a share of a 100% total.

Is my data sent anywhere?

No, the whole calculation runs in your browser.

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