Pantone/RAL Converter

Convert between Pantone, RAL and HEX colors for professional printing

Find the closest Pantone and RAL Classic codes to any HEX color. Essential for printing, industrial painting and manufacturing.

HEX → Pantone / RAL

RGB: 59, 130, 246

HSL: 217°, 91%, 60%

CMYK: C76 M47 Y0 K4

Code → HEX / RGB

Type a Pantone or RAL code to get its HEX equivalent

Closest Pantone

Your

300 C

Approximate · ΔE 15.5

Blue

#0072CE · RGB(0,114,206)

CMYK: C100 M45 Y0 K19

Your

301 C

Approximate · ΔE 19.3

Blue

#005EB8 · RGB(0,94,184)

CMYK: C100 M49 Y0 K28

Your

293 C

Approximate · ΔE 28.0

Blue

#003DA5 · RGB(0,61,165)

CMYK: C100 M63 Y0 K35

Your

286 C

Approximate · ΔE 33.0

Blue

#0032A0 · RGB(0,50,160)

CMYK: C100 M69 Y0 K37

Your

287 C

Approximate · ΔE 35.2

Blue

#003087 · RGB(0,48,135)

CMYK: C100 M64 Y0 K47

Your

288 C

Approximate · ΔE 41.0

Blue

#002D72 · RGB(0,45,114)

CMYK: C100 M61 Y0 K55

Pantone Catalog

100

101

102

103

109

116

123

130

137

144

151

158

165

172

179

185

186

199

200

206

213

219

226

233

240

247

254

261

268

275

2685

282

286

287

288

289

293

294

295

300

301

306

311

312

319

320

321

326

About Color Systems

Pantone

Standard color system in graphic design, fashion and packaging. Ensures color consistency in offset printing.

RAL Classic

European system used in industrial painting, coatings and architecture. Standard in automotive and construction.

Note: Conversions are approximate. For exact matching, consult official physical samples.

How it works

Pantone and RAL are industrial color standards for exact color reproduction. This tool lets you convert between HEX/RGB and these systems, find the closest matches, and browse the full catalog.

🎨 Pantone (PMS - Pantone Matching System)

American system created in 1963. Each color has an exclusive ink formula that ensures global consistency. It's the standard for graphic printing, fashion, packaging, and product design.

What does "C" and "U" mean?

• C (Coated) — For coated/glossy paper. More vivid and vibrant colors.

• U (Uncoated) — For uncoated/matte paper. More muted and absorbed colors.

This tool includes the Coated (C) version, the most widely used in design.

🏭 RAL Classic

European system created in 1927 in Germany. Defines 213 standard colors organized by numeric families. It's the standard for industrial paint, architecture, automotive, road signage, and urban furniture.

RAL Classic Families:

RAL 1xxx = Yellows · RAL 2xxx = Oranges · RAL 3xxx = Reds · RAL 4xxx = Violets

RAL 5xxx = Blues · RAL 6xxx = Greens · RAL 7xxx = Greys · RAL 8xxx = Browns · RAL 9xxx = Whites/Blacks

📐 What is ΔE (Delta E)?

ΔE measures the perceptual distance between two colors in the CIE LAB color space. The lower the value, the more similar the colors:

ΔE < 2

Excellent — Imperceptible

ΔE 2-5

Good — Subtle

ΔE 5-10

Acceptable — Visible

ΔE > 10

Approximate — Noticeable

🖨️ Why is CMYK shown?

CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) is the color model used in offset and digital printing. When working with Pantone or RAL, having an approximate CMYK reference is useful for budgets or quick proofs in four-color process.

⚠️ The displayed CMYK is a mathematical approximation. Exact values depend on the printer's ICC profile.

� How to use this tool

HEX → Pantone / RAL

Pick a color with the picker or type a HEX code. The tool will show the 6 closest Pantone or RAL colors with a side-by-side visual comparison.

Code → HEX / RGB (Reverse Lookup)

Have a Pantone or RAL code? Type it in the reverse lookup (e.g. 286 C or RAL 3020) to get its HEX, RGB and CMYK.

Catalog with filters

Browse the full catalog filtering by color family (Reds, Blues, Greens...) or search by name/code. Click any color to select it and copy it.

Copy in multiple formats

Each result has a "Copy" button with a dropdown menu: copy the Pantone/RAL code, HEX, RGB or CMYK as needed.

💡 Practical Use Cases

Case 1: Business cards with corporate color

Your brand uses #1E40AF on the web. You need the Pantone for printing.

→ Approximate equivalent: Pantone 2728 C · Confirm with a physical Pantone sample before printing

Case 2: Paint for road signage

You need to paint signs with the European standard safety red.

→ RAL 3020 (Traffic red) → #CC0605 · International signage standard

Case 3: Packaging and merchandising

Produce packaging or t-shirts with the exact brand color across different suppliers.

→ Provide the Pantone code to the supplier · Ensures consistency across batches and materials

Case 4: Metal joinery and facades

The architect specifies RAL 7016 (Anthracite grey) for the aluminum windows.

→ Use the reverse lookup to get the HEX and preview it in 3D renders or digital mockups

Frequently Asked Questions

Why aren't conversions exact?

Pantone and RAL use specific inks and pigments with proprietary formulas that cannot be exactly reproduced in RGB/HEX (light-based models). Conversions are perceptual approximations based on the CIE LAB color space.

When should I use Pantone vs RAL?

Pantone for graphic printing (brochures, packaging, cards), textile and fashion. RAL for industrial paint, signage, metal joinery, architecture and automotive.

What does ΔE (Delta E) mean?

It measures the perceptual distance between two colors in CIE LAB space. A ΔE < 2 is practically imperceptible. Between 2-5 is subtle but acceptable. Above 10, the difference is very noticeable.

What's the difference between Pantone C and Pantone U?

"C" stands for Coated (glossy paper) and "U" for Uncoated (matte paper). The same Pantone can look different depending on the paper finish. This tool shows the Coated version, the most common one.

Is the displayed CMYK reliable for printing?

It's a mathematical approximation useful as a reference. For professional printing, use the manufacturer's CMYK values or run color proofs with your printer's ICC profile.

Can I trust the colors I see on screen?

Monitors cannot reproduce all Pantone/RAL colors. What you see is the best possible RGB approximation. For critical color decisions, always use physical guides (Pantone Formula Guide or RAL K7/K5).

How many colors are in the database?

It includes over 80 Pantone Coated (the most used in graphic design) and nearly 200 RAL Classic (the full industrial-use catalog). For the complete Pantone catalog (+2000 colors), visit pantone.com.

How does reverse lookup work?

Type a Pantone code (e.g. "286 C") or RAL code (e.g. "RAL 3020" or just "3020") and you'll get its approximate HEX, RGB and CMYK equivalent, along with a color preview.