RGB to Lab converter
Paste a RGB value, get Lab instantly. Any other format works too.
RGB to Lab examples
About RGB and Lab
RGB sets red, green and blue from 0 to 255. It describes how a screen mixes light and is written as rgb(255 87 51) in modern CSS.
CIE Lab describes lightness L and two color axes, a (green to red) and b (blue to yellow). It is device independent and is used for color differences like ΔE.
How the conversion works
We read the RGB value, convert it to CIE XYZ with the matrices from the CSS Color 4 specification and then into Lab. Values outside the target gamut are mapped by the CSS Color 4 algorithm, which keeps lightness and hue and reduces chroma.
Questions and answers
How do I convert RGB to Lab?
Paste or type a RGB value into the field above. PickShade converts it with the CSS Color 4 formulas as you type, and one click copies the Lab value.
Is the RGB to Lab conversion exact?
The math is exact and the result is rounded only for display, with enough digits to convert back to the same color. If the color does not fit the target gamut, PickShade warns you and shows the nearest color that fits.
Can I get other formats at the same time?
Yes. Every other format, including OKLCH, Display P3, Tailwind, SwiftUI, Flutter and Android, is listed below the result and copies with one click.
Is this converter free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs entirely in your browser.