How to use the pantone to rgb converter
- Enter a PMS number (solid coated) in the input field. Prefixes like PMS or Pantone and a C suffix are accepted.
- The converter looks up the number in its built-in dataset of 907 screen approximations.
- The RGB, rgb(), HEX and HSL values appear immediately.
- The two most similar PMS colors are listed as alternates, each with its CIE76 deltaE and a closeness label.
- If the number is not in the dataset, you get an error with the two numerically nearest PMS numbers.
How the conversion works
The Pantone Matching System assigns numbers to specific ink formulations. Because screens emit light and ink absorbs it, there is no single perfect mathematical formula to translate one to the other. This pantone to rgb converter uses a dataset of widely accepted screen approximations for 907 PMS solid coated colors.
When you enter a number, the tool looks it up and shows the stored sRGB value in several formats. If the number is not in the dataset, it does not guess: it returns an error and names the two nearest PMS numbers by value so you can spot a typo.
The alternates are the two other swatches closest to your color in CIELAB space. The distance is the CIE76 formula:
deltaE = sqrt((L1 - L2)^2 + (a1 - a2)^2 + (b1 - b2)^2)
A deltaE under 1 is labeled "exact", under 3 "very close", under 6 "close" and 6 or more "approximate". For PMS 300 (#0072c6) the closest other swatch is PMS 285 at a deltaE of about 5.1.
Common PMS to RGB reference values
Below are several frequently used Pantone color RGB values for quick reference. These are screen approximations, not official print specifications.
| PMS Number | HEX | RGB |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | #f4ed7c | 244, 237, 124 |
| 185 | #e8112d | 232, 17, 45 |
| 300 | #0072c6 | 0, 114, 198 |
| 354 | #00b760 | 0, 183, 96 |
| 1235 | #fcb514 | 252, 181, 20 |
| 2925 | #008ed6 | 0, 142, 214 |
| 5875 | #e0dbb5 | 224, 219, 181 |
If you need to go the other direction, use the rgb to pantone tool to find the closest PMS number from any screen color.
Screen approximations versus print reality
It is important to understand that these are screen approximations of PMS solid coated inks, not official Pantone values. Monitors vary widely in how they display color due to differences in panel technology, calibration and ambient lighting. A color that looks correct on your screen may print differently on paper.
For professional print work, always rely on a physical Pantone guide rather than a digital conversion. If you are designing for the web or digital apps, converting pms to rgb gives you a practical starting point, but you should verify the result on target devices. For CMYK workflows, see the pantone to cmyk converter.
Pantone is a trademark of Pantone LLC and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone LLC. The values are screen approximations of the PMS solid coated library (907 colors), not official Pantone data.
Understanding CIE76 deltaE
Why does this tool use CIE76 deltaE instead of simple RGB distance? Human vision does not perceive color differences uniformly across the RGB cube. A difference of 10 units in green is perceived very differently than 10 units in blue. CIELAB space was designed so that Euclidean distance roughly correlates with perceived difference.
The conversion chain goes from HEX to linear sRGB, then to XYZ tristimulus values using the D65 white point, and finally to L*, a* and b* coordinates. Once in CIELAB, the deltaE calculation is straightforward geometry. This ensures that the alternates are visually the closest options available in the dataset.
Worked examples
| Example | Input | Result |
|---|---|---|
| PMS 185 (Red) | PMS number: 185 | PMS: PMS 185 C; RGB: 232, 17, 45; rgb(): rgb(232, 17, 45); HEX: #e8112d; HSL: hsl(352, 86%, 49%); Alternate 1: PMS 1788 C (#ef2b2d); Alternate 2: PMS 192 C (#e5053a) |
| PMS 300 (Blue) | PMS number: PMS 300 C | PMS: PMS 300 C; RGB: 0, 114, 198; rgb(): rgb(0, 114, 198); HEX: #0072c6; HSL: hsl(205, 100%, 39%); Alternate 1: PMS 285 C (#3a75c4); Alternate 2: PMS 2718 C (#5b77cc) |
| PMS 354 (Green) | PMS number: 354c | PMS: PMS 354 C; RGB: 0, 183, 96; rgb(): rgb(0, 183, 96); HEX: #00b760; HSL: hsl(151, 100%, 36%); Alternate 1: PMS 355 C (#009e49); Alternate 2: PMS 360 C (#60c659) |
| PMS 1235 (Gold) | PMS number: Pantone 1235 | PMS: PMS 1235 C; RGB: 252, 181, 20; rgb(): rgb(252, 181, 20); HEX: #fcb514; HSL: hsl(42, 97%, 53%); Alternate 1: PMS 130 C (#eaaf0f); Alternate 2: PMS 123 C (#ffc61e) |
FAQ
Are these official Pantone RGB values?
No. Pantone is a trademark of Pantone LLC and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pantone LLC. The values are screen approximations of the PMS solid coated library (907 colors), not official Pantone data. Pantone does not publish a single definitive RGB mapping because screen reproduction varies by device. Always use a physical Pantone guide for critical print work.
What does the deltaE number mean?
DeltaE measures the perceptual distance between two colors in CIELAB space. In the alternates list it shows how far each similar swatch is from your PMS color. Under 1 is virtually indistinguishable, and higher values indicate a more visible difference.
Can I convert any PMS number?
The built-in dataset covers 907 solid coated (PMS C) numbers. If your number is not in it, the tool shows an error with the two numerically nearest PMS numbers instead of guessing a color.
Why use CIE76 instead of just comparing RGB values?
The alternates are ranked by CIE76 deltaE because RGB distance does not match human perception. CIE76 in CIELAB space is a better measure of visual similarity.
Is my data sent to a server?
No. The entire dataset and conversion logic run locally in your browser. Nothing is uploaded anywhere.
What is the difference between PMS C and PMS U?
PMS C stands for coated paper and PMS U stands for uncoated paper. The same ink formula looks different depending on the paper surface. This tool specifically handles solid coated (C) approximations.