Color Mode

RGB defines colors used in computer monitors (red, green, and blue light). All variation of color in images and text on a monitor are combinations of these 3 colors. Images used in Web design should be saved in RGB format for best display on computer monitors.

CMYK refers to ink colors used in print (cyan, magenta, yellow, black ink). For best Web quality photos, convert all image files to RGB using a photo editor (Photoshop, Fireworks, etc). CMYK images are appropriate if you would like to provide the viewer an option to download a print quality image.

Hexadecimal Code (hex code) is a six-digit system used to represent Web-friendly colors. Although it is not used for color management of images, Hexadecimal Code is important color naming for Web design. The color is written as pound sign (#) followed by 6 symbols (combinations of numbers and/or letters).

Since Web sites are displayed on a computer monitor, projector or television screen; the organization of the hex code is as follows: #RRGGBB: where RR specifies the value of the Red component of the color, GG the Green component, and BB the Blue component. When choosing a color for the font or background of a Web page enter the Hexadecimal Code for the color of choice (i.e., #000000 for black).

Page maintained by: Walker Massey, emassey@clemson.edu