Color Name to HEX Converter
Free, accurate, and instant conversion. Preview your color in real-time on digital and print mockups.
Source Input NAME
/* CSS Variable */ --color-primary: #000000; /* Standard */ color: #000000; background-color: #000000;
Speak in Color: The HTML Dictionary
Sometimes, finding the perfect color isn't about sliders and numbers. It's about feeling. The web has 140 standard Named Colors that work in every single browser without needing a hex code.
From the famous CornflowerBlue to the delicious Chocolate, this tool helps you find the exact Hex definitions for these English keywords.
Readability
`color: red;` is instantly readable. `#FF0000` requires you to parse hex. Names make debugging easier.
The Standard
Defined by W3C in the SVG and CSS3 specs. Guaranteed consistent across Chrome, Safari, and Firefox.
140 Colors
Including duplicates (Aqua = Cyan), there are 140 unique keywords available to you.
Fun Facts about CSS Names
The "RebeccaPurple" Story
The color RebeccaPurple (#663399) was added to the CSS standard in 2014. It is a memorial to Rebecca Meyer, the daughter of Eric Meyer (a CSS pioneer), who loved the color purple and sadly passed away at age 6. It is the only CSS color named after a person.
Pro Tips for Using Named Colors
- • Quick prototyping: Use names like `tomato` or `coral` for fast mockups—convert to Hex later.
- • Self-documenting code: `border-color: gold` is more readable than `#FFD700` in code reviews.
- • Know the quirks: Remember `DarkGray` is lighter than `Gray`—always verify the Hex.
- • Use for debugging: Temporarily set `background: hotpink` to quickly find layout issues.
The "Tricky" Colors
| Name | Hex | The Quirk |
|---|---|---|
| Gray | #808080 | Darker than DarkGray. |
| DarkGray | #A9A9A9 | Lighter than Gray. |
| Aqua / Cyan | #00FFFF | Functionally identical aliases. |
| Magenta / Fuchsia | #FF00FF | Functionally identical aliases. |
Who Uses Color Name Lookup?
Beginner Developers
Learn CSS with readable color names before diving into Hex codes.
Technical Writers
Document color values in tutorials and style guides.
Accessibility Specialists
Verify contrast ratios using known color values.
CSS Educators
Teach color theory using memorable named examples.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many named colors are there in CSS?
There are exactly 140 standard color names supported by all modern browsers. This list is defined in the W3C CSS Color Module Level 4.
Are these names case-sensitive?
No. 'Blue', 'blue', and 'BLUE' all work correctly in CSS.
Is 'grey' the same as 'gray'?
Yes! CSS is friendly to both British and American spelling. You can type grey, darkgrey, gray, or darkgray. They all map to the same Hex codes.
Why is 'DarkGray' lighter than 'Gray'?
This is a famous CSS quirk. 'Gray' maps to #808080 (50% brightness). 'DarkGray' maps to #A9A9A9 (66% brightness). Yes, DarkGray is technically lighter than Gray. It is a historical legacy issue.
Can I use color names in Production?
Yes, but be careful. Names like rebeccapurple are cool, but most names (like mediumspringgreen) are long and hard to type. Hex codes are usually preferred for brevity and precision.
What is 'Chucknorris' color?
This is an internet myth/meme. While older browsers like Netscape laid out random Hex values for invalid strings (so 'chucknorris' produced a blood-red color), modern CSS does NOT support this. It is not a valid color name.
Is there a color named 'Tomato'?
Yes! Tomato (#FF6347) is a standard and popular CSS color name.
What is the hex code for 'transparent'?
The keyword transparent maps to rgba(0,0,0,0). In Hex8, it is #00000000. It's fully transparent black.
What does 'currentColor' do?
currentColor is a special CSS keyword that inherits the current text color. It's not in the 140 named colors but is extremely useful for SVG icons and border colors.
Are SVG color names the same as CSS?
Yes! The 140 CSS named colors originated from the X11 color system and were adopted by SVG 1.0, then later by CSS3. They're identical across both specifications.
Where did these color names come from?
Most originated from the X11 Window System used in Unix. Colors like 'Cornflower Blue' and 'Dodger Blue' were added by developers in the 1980s based on Crayola crayons and other sources.
Do all browsers support all 140 colors?
Yes! All modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) support the complete list of 140 named colors. Even Internet Explorer 9+ supported them all.