HSV to CMYK
Convert HSV / HSB colors to CMYK percentages.
Type a HSV value or pick a color – the result updates instantly.
Preview
HSV to CMYK Converter
Many artists pick colors in an HSB/HSV color wheel and later need print values for a poster, label, or merchandise order. Enter hsv(330, 80%, 90%) or 330, 80, 90 and this tool returns cmyk(0%, 80%, 40%, 10%) – a vivid raspberry pink – together with the HEX, RGB, and HSL equivalents.
A neat shortcut between the two models
The conversion runs through RGB, but HSV and CMYK line up surprisingly well:
- Black (K) is simply 100% minus the value. A value of 90% means 10% black.
- The ink opposite the strongest channel is always 0%. For a pink with red dominant, cyan (which absorbs red) is 0%.
- The ink opposite the weakest channel equals the saturation. Green is the weakest channel here, so magenta = 80%.
- The remaining ink falls between those two and depends on the exact hue.
Worked example
hsv(330, 80%, 90%) converts to rgb(230, 46, 138), which is #E62E8A. Applying the CMYK formula with channels scaled to 0–1:
| Step | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| K | 1 − 0.9 | 10% |
| C | (0.9 − 0.9) / 0.9 | 0% |
| M | (0.9 − 0.18) / 0.9 | 80% |
| Y | (0.9 − 0.54) / 0.9 | 40% |
The final value is cmyk(0%, 80%, 40%, 10%). The table uses the unrounded channels (0.9, 0.18, 0.54), which is why every percentage comes out as a whole number.
Practical notes for printing
- Lowering the value in HSV adds black ink one-for-one, which is an easy way to create darker print variants of a color.
- A saturation of 0% always produces a K-only gray:
hsv(0, 0%, 100%)iscmyk(0%, 0%, 0%, 0%), plain paper white. - Highly saturated, bright hues – especially greens, blues, and oranges – may fall outside what process inks can print.
For a web code instead of print values, use HSV to HEX. If you are starting from a CMYK specification, the CMYK to HSV converter goes the other way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct HSV to CMYK formula?
The converter goes through RGB, but the relationship is simple: K = 100% − V, the ink for the strongest RGB channel is 0%, the ink for the weakest channel equals the saturation, and the remaining ink depends on the hue.
Why does hsv(330, 80%, 90%) give exactly 10% black?
In the standard formula, black is 1 minus the brightest RGB channel, and in HSV the brightest channel is the value. With a value of 90%, K is 100% − 90% = 10%.
Will the printed color match the HSV color I picked?
It depends on the press and paper. This tool uses the common device-independent formula without an ICC profile, so treat the result as a starting point and check a printed proof for critical brand colors.