Pantone to HEX Converter for PMS Solid Coated Colors

How to use the pantone to hex converter

1. Type a Pantone number into the input field. You can use plain numbers like 300 or include prefixes such as PMS 300 C.
2. The converter instantly looks up the number in its dataset of 907 PMS solid coated entries.
3. Review the primary result showing the HEX code, RGB, CSS rgb(), HSL and approximate CMYK values.
4. Check the two alternate PMS colors, each shown with its CIE76 deltaE and a closeness label, to see which other swatches look similar.
5. If your number is not in the dataset, the tool shows an error with the two numerically closest PMS numbers that are available.

How the pantone to hex conversion works

The converter stores over 900 Pantone Matching System solid coated numbers paired with their common screen-approximate sRGB hex codes. When you enter a PMS number, the tool parses out the numeric part and searches the dataset for an exact match.

If an exact match exists, the corresponding hex value is returned directly. For example, entering PMS 300 yields the hex code #0072c6. The tool also computes the RGB triplet by splitting the hex string into three base-16 pairs: 00 for red, 72 for green (114 in decimal) and c6 for blue (198 in decimal).

HSL and CMYK values are derived mathematically from these RGB components. The CMYK calculation uses a standard naive formula based on subtracting the RGB channels from white, which provides a rough estimate rather than a press-ready profile.

Nearest match using CIE76 deltaE

Besides the lookup, the tool lists the two other PMS colors that look most similar to the one you entered. Similarity is measured with the CIE76 deltaE formula in CIELAB color space. Unlike simple RGB distance, CIELAB accounts for how human eyes perceive differences in lightness, red-green and blue-yellow axes.

The process converts sRGB values to linear RGB, then to CIEXYZ using the D65 illuminant, and finally to CIELAB. The deltaE is the Euclidean distance between two points in this three-dimensional space:

deltaE = sqrt((L1 - L2)^2 + (a1 - a2)^2 + (b1 - b2)^2)

A deltaE under 1.0 is considered an exact visual match, under 3.0 very close, under 6.0 close, and anything beyond 6.0 only approximate. Each alternate row shows its deltaE and that label. To go from a hex code to the nearest PMS number, use the hex to pantone tool.

Common PMS solid coated reference

Below is a quick reference table of frequently used Pantone solid coated numbers and their screen-approximate hex codes. These values are useful for web design mockups where exact print matching is not required.

For conversions starting from a hex code instead of a PMS number, use the hex to pantone tool. If you have RGB values, the rgb to pantone converter will find the nearest match.

Screen approximations versus physical guides

It is important to understand that the hex, RGB, HSL and CMYK values provided by this pantone to hex tool are screen approximations of PMS solid coated inks. Computer monitors emit light using the sRGB color space, while Pantone spot colors are physical inks printed on paper. Many Pantone colors, especially bright oranges, deep blues and metallics, fall outside the gamut that standard screens can display.

Because of this limitation, no digital hex code can perfectly replicate every Pantone spot color. The values here represent the closest visual approximation achievable on a standard calibrated monitor. For any professional print work, packaging design or brand compliance, you must consult a physical Pantone solid coated guide book under standardized lighting conditions.

If you need to convert between other color models for your design workflow, tools like pantone to rgb and pantone to cmyk provide the same screen-approximate data in different formats. The broader pantone color finder helps explore the full dataset.

Accepted input formats

The input field is designed to be flexible so you can paste PMS numbers exactly as they appear in your design files or briefs. The parser strips away common prefixes and suffixes before searching the dataset.

• Plain number: 300
• With C suffix: 300 C or 300c (indicating coated)
• With PMS prefix: PMS 300 or PMS 300 C
• With Pantone prefix: Pantone 300 or Pantone 300 C

The tool only supports Pantone Matching System solid coated numbers. Uncoated (U) numbers are rejected with a message. If you enter a number that does not exist in the loaded set, the converter returns a clear error message and suggests the two numerically closest PMS numbers that are available, helping you quickly identify typos or missing entries.

Worked examples