Professional online CMYK to OKLCH color converter tool for modern digital design. Convert CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) print colors to OKLCH (Oklab Lightness Chroma Hue) format with precision for advanced color manipulation and digital workflows.
Transform traditional CMYK print colors to modern OKLCH color space using our free CMYK to OKLCH converter, enabling perceptually uniform color adjustments, advanced color manipulation, and seamless integration with modern CSS Color Level 4 specifications.
Experience our advanced CMYK to OKLCH color conversion tool with real-time preview, interactive sliders, and instant CSS code generation for modern digital design workflows.
The CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) color model is the cornerstone of modern printing industry, with its history tracing back to the development of color printing technology in the 19th century. This four-color printing system is based on subtractive color mixing principles, reproducing various colors by overlaying different densities of semi-transparent inks on white substrates. The CMYK model's design directly corresponds to the physical structure and ink characteristics of printing presses, making it the crucial bridge from digital design to physical printed materials.
Subtractive color mixing is completely opposite to the additive color mixing used in displays. In subtractive systems, each ink absorbs specific wavelengths of light and reflects the remaining wavelengths:
OKLCH (Oklab Lightness Chroma Hue) represents the latest breakthrough in color science, a revolutionary color space developed by Swedish researcher Björn Ottosson in 2020. Based on the latest research in human visual systems, it was specifically designed to address the fundamental deficiencies in perceptual uniformity of traditional color spaces (such as HSL, HSV). OKLCH not only provides more accurate color representation but also brings unprecedented color manipulation capabilities to modern digital design tools and CSS specifications.
OKLCH is built on the foundation of the Oklab color space, which itself is a major improvement over CIELAB:
Range: 0.0 - 1.0
Feature: Perceptually uniform brightness changes
Application: Precise color brightness control
Range: 0.0 - 0.4+
Feature: Represents color purity and vividness
Application: Control color saturation
Range: 0° - 360°
Feature: Angular position on the color wheel
Application: Select basic color types
The CMYK to OKLCH conversion process represents a technological leap from traditional print color models to modern perceptually uniform color spaces. This conversion is not merely the application of mathematical formulas, but an embodiment of deep understanding of color science. The conversion process must consider the physical properties of printing inks, paper reflection characteristics, and human visual system perception features to ensure that the converted OKLCH values accurately reflect the visual effects of the original CMYK colors.
Validate ink coverage range
Apply ICC profiles
Consider printing conditions
Subtractive to additive conversion
Gamma correction
Gamut mapping
Linearization processing
XYZ color space
Oklab transformation
Polar coordinate conversion
Hue angle calculation
Chroma value calculation
// 1. Convert CMYK percentages to decimals
C' = C/100, M' = M/100, Y' = Y/100, K' = K/100
// 2. Basic RGB calculation
R = 255 × (1 - C') × (1 - K')
G = 255 × (1 - M') × (1 - K')
B = 255 × (1 - Y') × (1 - K')
// 3. Oklab to OKLCH polar coordinate conversion
L = L (unchanged)
C = √(A² + B²)
H = atan2(B, A) × 180/π
Establish complete color management workflows to ensure conversion accuracy and consistency:
Leverage OKLCH's perceptual uniformity advantages for high-quality color adjustments:
Fully utilize CSS Color Level 4 new features: