HEX to HSV Converter
Free, accurate, and instant conversion. Preview your color in real-time on digital and print mockups.
Source Input HEX
/* CSS Variable */ --color-primary: #000000; /* Standard */ color: #000000; background-color: #000000;
Hex to HSV (HSB): The Artist's Converter
Web developers use Hex. CSS writers use HSL. But digital artists—working in Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint—live in HSV (also known as HSB).
This converter bridges the gap between code and canvas. Input your web Hex code to get the precise Hue, Saturation, and Value numbers needed to paint with that color.
Web Source
Your starting Hex code (#FF0000). Optimized for browsers and CSS files.
The Model
HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value) models how light intensity works, separating color from brightness.
Art Ready
Output ready for Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Corel, or Procreate color pickers.
The Great Debate: HSV vs HSL
They look similar, but they behave very differently.
HSL (Lightness)
Best for: Web Design & CSS
Think of it like mixing paint with white or black pigment. 100% Lightness is always Pure White. 50% is the pure color.
HSV / HSB (Value)
Best for: Digital Painting
Think of it like a lightbulb. 100% Value means the light is fully ON (Bright Red). It doesn't turn white. To get white, you must lower Saturation.
Pro Tips for Artists
- • Create shadow variations: Keep Hue constant, reduce Value by 20-30% for natural shadows.
- • Match brand colors: Copy the exact HSB values into Photoshop's color picker.
- • Save color palettes: Export your converted HSV values to ASE files for Adobe apps.
- • Use for color grading: HSV's separation of brightness makes it perfect for video color correction.
When to use HSV?
- 1Shadows & Highlights: Artists find it more natural to darken colors by lowering "Value" than by lowering "Lightness".
- 2Image Analysis: Computer vision algorithms (like object detection) prefer HSV because it separates lighting (Value) from color (Hue).
- 3Legacy Software: Older graphics tools implemented the HSB model first, so it remains the standard in Adobe Creative Cloud.
Who Needs Hex to HSV Conversion?
Digital Illustrators
Match website brand colors in Photoshop, Procreate, or Clip Studio Paint.
Game Artists
Convert UI colors from design specs to game engine color pickers.
Photo Editors
Use HSV for precise color grading and selective adjustments in Lightroom.
AI/ML Engineers
Prepare HSV color data for computer vision and image processing algorithms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HSV and HSL?
The 'L' (Lightness) in HSL goes from Black -> Color -> White. The 'V' (Value) in HSV goes from Black -> Color. In HSV, a rich red has 100% Value, but in HSL it only has 50% Lightness. Artists generally prefer HSV (HSB).
Is HSV the same as HSB?
Yes! HSB (Hue, Saturation, Brightness) is exactly the same model as HSV (Hue, Saturation, Value). Photoshop calls it HSB, but Python/Code libraries often call it HSV.
Why do digital painters use HSV?
It mimics mixing paint with light. If you have a red light (Hue 0) and turn the dimmer switch to 100% (Value 100%), it is bright red. In HSL, 100% Lightness turns it white, which is confusing for painting.
Can I use HSV in CSS?
No. Standard CSS only supports RGB, Hex, and HSL. If you have an HSV value, you must convert it to HSL or Hex before using it in a stylesheet.
How is Saturation different in HSV vs HSL?
In HSV, Saturation is the 'richness' relative to the brightness. In HSL, Saturation is the richness relative to grey. A 'pale pink' might use different Saturation numbers in the two models.
What is the range for HSV values?
Hue is 0-360°. Saturation is 0-100%. Value is 0-100%.
Does Hex store HSV data?
No. Hex stores RGB data. We calculate the HSV values by analyzing the dominance of the Red, Green, and Blue channels.
Is black always 0% Value?
Yes. If Value (Brightness) is 0%, the color is pitch black, regardless of Hue or Saturation.
Is white always 100% Value?
No! This is the tricky part. White is 0% Saturation and 100% Value. But Red is 100% Saturation and 100% Value. 100% Value just means 'maximum brightness allowed by the other settings'.
Is this tool compatible with Procreate?
Yes. Procreate uses the HSB sliders. You can take the Hex code from a website, convert it here, and plug the numbers into Procreate.
How do I use HSV in Python with OpenCV?
OpenCV uses a different HSV scale: Hue is 0-179 (not 0-360), while Saturation and Value remain 0-255. When converting from our tool, divide Hue by 2 and multiply S/V by 2.55.
What happens when Hue wraps around 360°?
Hue is circular—360° equals 0°. Both represent pure red. This is why color wheels are circular: you can rotate through all colors and end up back where you started.