Lab to RGB Converter
Free, accurate, and instant conversion. Preview your color in real-time on digital and print mockups.
Source Input LAB
/* CSS Variable */ --color-primary: #000000; /* Standard */ color: #000000; background-color: #000000;
From Theory to Screen: Lab to RGB
You have a color defined in CIELAB (perhaps from a spectrophotometer reading of a physical fabric). You want to show that product on your website.
Browsers typically think in RGB. This tool takes the perceptually uniform Lab values and crushes them down into the sRGB monitor profile so you can create a style that matches reality.
Lab (Input)
The theoretical color absolute. 3 dimensions: L* (Light), a* (Green/Red), b* (Blue/Yellow).
The Matrix
We transform the opponent-color coordinates into linear light mixtures (XYZ → RGB).
RGB (Output)
The closest displayable pixel value (0-255) for your physical sample.
Interpreting the Coordinates
| Coordinate | Negative Value | Positive Value |
|---|---|---|
| L* (Lightness) | N/A (Range 0-100) | 0 = Black, 100 = White |
| a* Axis | More Green | More Red/Magenta |
| b* Axis | More Blue | More Yellow |
Pro Tips for Lab Visualization
- • Gamut warning: Check if any RGB channel is <0 or >255 before clamping.
- • Fallback colors: Provide sRGB fallback with CSS `@supports` for older browsers.
- • Color swatches: Display both Lab values and RGB for physical-digital comparison.
- • Product pages: Store Lab values in your database; convert to RGB at render time.
CSS Color Level 4
The `lab()` Function
Did you know you can now use Lab directly in CSS in Chrome and Safari?background: lab(50% 40 -20);This gives you access to colors that are outside the sRGB gamut (on specialized monitors). However, for safety / fallbacks, it is still smart to include the RGB equivalent derived from this tool.
Who Uses Lab to RGB?
E-commerce Color Managers
Display accurate product colors from spectrophotometer data.
Textile Colorists
Preview fabric dye formulas before physical production.
Cosmetics Product Designers
Match makeup shades to skin tone Lab measurements.
3D Rendering Artists
Apply physically accurate material colors in renders.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I enter L=100 a=100?
That color is likely 'imaginary' or simply outside the sRGB capabilities (Neon pink/red). Our tool will calculate the theoretical RGB value, finding it to be way above 255. It will then display the closest possible maxed-out color.
Can I use Lab in CSS?
Yes! Modern CSS (Color Level 4) supports lab(50% 20 -30). However, support differs by browser. Converting to RGB/Hex is still the safest bet for maximum compatibility.
Why is L* scaled 0-100?
It represents perceptual lightness percentage. 50% Lightness is what a human would call 'Middle Grey' (which is actually only ~18% physical light energy!).
Does this tool handle reference white?
Yes, we assume standard D65 (Daylight). If we didn't fix the white point, the conversion would be ambiguous.
What is the inverse formula?
It reverses the XYZ projection. We calculate Y from L*, then calculate X and Z using a* and b*. Finally, we project XYZ back to Linear RGB and apply Gamma.
Why are plastic/paint colors defined in Lab?
Because plastic and paint manufacturers don't know what monitor you have. They need an absolute reference. Lab provides that absolute 'recipe' for the color.
What is OKLCH and how does it compare?
OKLCH is a newer perceptually uniform space with improved hue linearity. Unlike Lab, OKLCH maintains consistent chroma across hue changes. CSS now supports both.
How do I handle out-of-gamut colors gracefully?
Instead of clipping, reduce chroma (C in LCH) until the color fits sRGB. This preserves hue and lightness while only reducing saturation.
Can I display Lab colors on P3 monitors?
Yes! Display P3 covers more of the Lab space than sRGB. Use CSS color(display-p3 r g b) for wider gamut rendering on supported displays.
Should I interpolate colors in Lab or RGB?
Lab interpolation produces more natural gradients because it's perceptually uniform. RGB often creates muddy or unexpected hues in midpoints.
Can TIFF files store Lab values directly?
Yes! TIFF supports Lab color mode natively (8-bit or 16-bit). Photoshop can save Lab TIFFs, preserving exact values without RGB conversion.
How do I use Lab colors in WebGL shaders?
Convert Lab→XYZ→Linear RGB in your shader. Remember to apply gamma encoding (pow 1/2.2) before output. Libraries like colour.js can help.