HSL to HSV

HSL to HSV color conversion

Use HSL to HSV when a design specification, stylesheet, or color editor needs a different representation of the same color. Start hexadecimal input with #, or use a lowercase rgb, rgba, hsl, hsla, or hsv function name. Select Submit, then check the target-format result before copying it.

How this conversion works

With saturation S and lightness L normalized to 0 through 1, chroma is (1 - |2L - 1|) × S. Hue determines the channel sector, and L minus half the chroma gives the channel offset. For HSV output, normalize RGB to 0 through 1, take V as the maximum channel, and calculate saturation as (maximum - minimum) ÷ maximum when the maximum is nonzero.

Worked color example

The sample hsl(210, 50%, 40%) corresponds to H 210°, S 66.6667%, V 60% for the color coordinates illustrated here. Small differences in the final digits can result from rounding. This example explains the mathematical representation; it does not establish which input syntax this tool accepts.

Understand the formats

HSL describes hue, saturation, and lightness. Lightness is halfway between the largest and smallest normalized RGB channels, rather than a direct measure of perceived brightness. HSV describes hue, saturation, and value. Value is based on the largest normalized RGB channel. HSV saturation and HSL saturation are calculated differently.

Transparency and rounding

Neither example has an explicit alpha channel. This conversion changes the way color coordinates are written. If you need transparency, use an alpha-capable representation and inspect its opacity value separately.

Frequently asked questions

Will the converted color look identical everywhere?

Equivalent coordinates describe the same color within the assumed color model. Displays, color profiles, surrounding colors, and backgrounds can affect appearance. Compare the result in the application where you will use it.

Can I interchange HSL lightness and HSV value?

No. They are different calculations. Recalculate the destination coordinates instead of moving the same percentages between HSL and HSV fields.

Related converters

Color converter tools | HSV to HSL | HSL to RGB | HSL to HEX