Hex to Color Name Finder

What this tool does

Paste a hex code or an rgb() value, or just pick a color, and this tool tells you its closest match from the standard CSS/X11 named-color palette — the same 141 names browsers, design tools, and CSS itself understand (things like cornflowerblue, tomato, or rebeccapurple). It also works the other way: type a color name and get its hex, RGB, and HSL values. Matching uses a perceptual "redmean" distance formula rather than plain RGB distance, so the closest name it picks tends to actually look closer to a human eye, not just closer on paper.

Who it's for

Designers and developers who want a human-readable name for a color they picked from an image or a design tool, anyone writing CSS who wants to know if a hex code they're using already has a memorable keyword, or someone just trying to describe a color in words for a teammate.

How to use it

• Type a hex code (like #ff7f50) or an rgb(255, 127, 80) value into the color field, or use the color picker swatch.
• See the closest named color, its hex/RGB/HSL values, and how close the match actually is.
• Browse the six nearest named colors underneath and click any swatch to jump to it.
• Or flip it around: type a color name into "look up by name" (with autocomplete) to see its exact values.
• Click any value badge to copy it to your clipboard.

Real-world uses

Naming a color you picked from a screenshot or photo when writing a bug report or design note. Checking whether a hex value you're about to hardcode in CSS already has a standard keyword you could use instead. Exploring nearby color options when a shade is almost-but-not-quite what you want.

Frequently asked questions

Where do the color names come from?

From the official CSS Color Module / X11 extended color keywords — the same 141 names recognized natively by every browser (so background: tomato; works in CSS without needing a hex code).

Why isn't the match exact for most colors?

There are millions of possible hex colors but only a few hundred standard names, so most inputs won't land on an exact name — the tool shows you the closest one plus five runners-up so you can see how near or far it actually is.

What's "redmean" distance and why not just compare RGB numbers directly?

Plain RGB distance treats red, green, and blue as equally important, but the human eye is more sensitive to some channels than others depending on the color range. The redmean formula weights the channels based on the overall brightness, which tends to match how close two colors actually look to a person.

Can I search by partial color name?

Yes, the "look up by name" field autocompletes as you type, so typing "blue" will suggest every named color containing it.

Does this include Pantone or brand colors?

No, it only covers the standard CSS/X11 named-color set, not proprietary systems like Pantone, which require licensed color-matching data.