Sample palette
How it works
The Pantone to Hex converter looks up any Pantone PMS (Pantone Matching System) color code and returns the corresponding sRGB hex, RGB, CMYK, and HSL values. It covers the full Pantone Solid Coated and Uncoated libraries, Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors, and Pantone Color of the Year references.
Pantone colors are the physical printing standard. Brand guidelines specify Pantone numbers because they are device-independent โ PMS 485 C (Pantone red) looks the same on any certified press regardless of printer or ink batch. When translating brand colors to digital use (web, social media, screen), you need the hex equivalent. This tool provides the sRGB conversion.
How to use it: type a Pantone number (e.g., 485 C, 7686 C, 185 C) or the Pantone name (e.g., "Process Cyan"). The closest match is shown with the hex, RGB, and CMYK values. If there are multiple close matches (C = Coated, U = Uncoated, CP = Coated Premium), all are listed with their differences.
Important caveat: Pantone colors are physical ink standards that exist in a wider color gamut than sRGB monitors can display. A Pantone color on printed paper may be more vivid than any hex code can represent on screen. The hex conversion is the closest sRGB approximation โ you may notice the screen color looks less saturated than the physical print.
Coated vs. Uncoated: the same Pantone number with a "C" suffix (Coated) and "U" suffix (Uncoated) refers to the same ink mixture on coated (shiny) vs. uncoated paper. The hex values differ because the same ink looks different on different paper stock.
Privacy: the Pantone lookup is performed against a local JavaScript data file. No network request is made.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Printed Pantone colors can exist outside the sRGB gamut that monitors display. PMS 185 C (a vivid red) has a hex approximation of #E03C31, but the physical Pantone ink is more saturated than any sRGB display can show. The hex is the closest reproducible screen color โ it will always look less saturated than the physical print.
- C = Coated paper (glossy). U = Uncoated paper (matte). The same Pantone number on coated paper appears more vibrant (the ink sits on the surface). On uncoated paper, ink absorbs into the fibers and appears less saturated. The C and U hex values differ to reflect this visual difference.
- Yes. Type the Pantone color name (e.g., 'Living Coral', 'Classic Blue', 'Viva Magenta') to find the corresponding Pantone Color of the Year and its hex equivalent. The tool searches both PMS numbers and named Pantone colors.
- Use reverse lookup mode: switch to Hex to Pantone mode and enter your hex code. The tool finds the closest Pantone match by calculating the Delta-E color difference in LAB color space and returns the top 3 closest Pantone colors with their difference scores.