Hex to Pantone Converter
Convert HEX colors to Pantone Matching System (PMS) colors with perceptual Delta E matching. Find the closest Pantone matches across Solid Coated, Solid Uncoated, and CMYK systems for professional printing and brand color specifications.
RGB: 227, 6, 19
Best Match
Input Color
#E30613
RGB: 227, 6, 19
CMYK: 0%, 97%, 92%, 11%
Pantone Match
PANTONE 185 C
#E30613
100% Match
Top 5 Pantone Matches
PANTONE 185 C
#E30613
RGB: 227, 6, 19
CMYK: 0% 100% 79% 4%
100% Match
ΔE: 0
PANTONE 199 C
#DD0031
RGB: 221, 0, 49
CMYK: 0% 100% 63% 12%
18% Match
ΔE: 16.5
PANTONE 185 U
#DD2A33
RGB: 221, 42, 51
CMYK: 0% 98% 93% 0%
17% Match
ΔE: 16.6
PANTONE 1788 C
#EF3340
RGB: 239, 51, 64
CMYK: 0% 95% 100% 0%
11% Match
ΔE: 17.8
PANTONE 021 C
#FE5000
RGB: 254, 80, 0
CMYK: 0% 62% 95% 0%
0% Match
ΔE: 19.9
Export Options
Recommended Settings
Understanding Pantone Systems
- •Solid Coated (C) - For glossy coated paper, most common for professional printing
- •Solid Uncoated (U) - For matte uncoated paper, different appearance than coated
- •CMYK Coated - Four-color process simulation for Pantone colors
Delta E Interpretation Guide
- •ΔE 0-1: Imperceptible difference - perfect match
- •ΔE 1-2: Very close match - excellent for most uses
- •ΔE 2-10: Acceptable match - suitable for general printing
- •ΔE 10-50: Noticeable difference - use with caution
- •ΔE >50: Completely different colors
Pro Tips
- •Digital RGB/HEX colors can only approximate Pantone colors - always request physical swatches for critical projects
- •The same Pantone formula appears different on coated vs uncoated paper
- •Delta E algorithm matches perceptual color differences using CIE LAB color space, not just RGB values
Most Popular
Most users convert 1-5 brand colors and export the Pantone specification for print vendors
When to Use This Tool
Convert digital brand colors to Pantone specifications for professional printing of business cards, letterheads, and marketing materials.
Find Pantone equivalents for web colors when designing materials that will be professionally printed on coated or uncoated stock.
Specify exact Pantone colors for product packaging, labels, and point-of-sale materials to ensure consistent color reproduction.
Extract colors from images or convert entire color palettes to Pantone specifications for print production workflows.
How It Works
Enter HEX code, use color picker, adjust RGB sliders, or extract colors from uploaded images
Your input color is converted to RGB values (0-255 for each red, green, blue channel)
RGB is converted to CIE LAB color space using D65 illuminant for perceptual color accuracy
The Delta E (CIE76) algorithm calculates perceptual difference between your color and all Pantone colors
Pantone colors are sorted by Delta E value - lower values indicate closer perceptual matches
Match percentage is calculated from Delta E (100% - ΔE × 5) for easy interpretation
Top 5 matches displayed with color swatches, Pantone codes, systems, and similarity scores
Export results as JSON, CSV, or print-ready Pantone specification document for vendors
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Files never leave your device. All processing happens locally in your browser.
Lightning Fast
Powered by Delta E (CIE76) perceptual color difference algorithm in LAB color space - the industry standard for color matching in professional printing, textiles, and brand color specification for optimal performance on modern browsers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pantone Matching System (PMS)?
PMS is a standardized color reproduction system used in printing, design, and manufacturing. Each Pantone color has a unique code and is mixed using proprietary ink formulas to ensure consistent color across different print runs and locations worldwide.
Why are there different systems (C, U, CMYK)?
Different paper types absorb ink differently. Coated (C) papers have a glossy finish that reflects more light, while Uncoated (U) papers are matte and absorb more ink. The same Pantone formula will appear slightly different on each surface. CMYK versions are four-color process simulations of Pantone colors.
Can I use this for exact color matching?
This tool provides the closest mathematical match based on perceptual color difference. However, digital RGB/HEX colors cannot perfectly represent Pantone spot colors. For critical projects (brand materials, packaging), always request physical Pantone swatch books to verify colors before printing.
What is Delta E and why does it matter?
Delta E (ΔE) measures perceptual color difference in the CIE LAB color space, which approximates human vision. A ΔE of 0-1 is imperceptible to the human eye, while ΔE values above 10 show noticeable differences. This is more accurate than simple RGB distance calculations.
Why don't you have all Pantone colors?
Pantone is a proprietary color system with over 2,000 colors. This tool includes a representative sampling (~50 colors) covering major color families and popular brand colors. The full Pantone library requires licensing. Our database covers the most commonly used Pantone colors in professional printing.
How do I specify Pantone colors to my printer?
Export the Pantone Specification document from this tool, which includes the exact Pantone code, system (C/U/CMYK), and color values. Provide this to your printer along with your design files. They will use official Pantone inks mixed to the specified formula for accurate reproduction.
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