OKLCH to OKLAB Color Converter
Professional online OKLCH to OKLAB color converter tool for advanced color manipulation. Convert OKLCH (Oklab Lightness Chroma Hue) color values to OKLAB (Oklab Lightness A B) format with precision, accuracy, and real-time preview capabilities for modern color workflows.
Transform OKLCH polar coordinates to OKLAB rectangular coordinates using our free OKLCH to OKLAB converter, enabling advanced color manipulation, mathematical operations, and precise color calculations in the Oklab color space for professional design and development applications.
Interactive OKLCH to OKLAB Color Converter Tool
Experience our advanced OKLCH to OKLAB color conversion tool with real-time preview, interactive sliders, and instant CSS code generation for professional color manipulation workflows.
Understanding OKLCH to OKLAB Color Conversion: Complete Guide
What is the Difference Between OKLCH and OKLAB Color Spaces?
OKLCH and OKLAB are two representations of the same Oklab color space. OKLCH uses polar coordinates (Lightness, Chroma, Hue) while OKLAB uses rectangular coordinates (Lightness, A, B). Converting between them enables different types of color manipulation - OKLCH is intuitive for color selection, while OKLAB is ideal for mathematical operations and color mixing.
OKLCH Polar Coordinates
- Intuitive color selection with hue wheel
- Easy saturation and lightness adjustments
- Perfect for user interface color pickers
- Natural color harmony generation
OKLAB Rectangular Coordinates
- Mathematical color operations and mixing
- Linear interpolation between colors
- Color difference calculations (Delta-E)
- Advanced color analysis algorithms
OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion Process: Mathematical Formula
Converting OKLCH to OKLAB is a straightforward coordinate transformation from polar to rectangular coordinates. This conversion preserves all color information while changing the representation format for different manipulation needs.
Mathematical Formula for OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion
// OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion Formula
// Input: OKLCH (L: 0-1, C: 0-0.4, H: 0-360°)
// Output: OKLAB (L: 0-1, A: -0.4 to 0.4, B: -0.4 to 0.4)
// Step 1: Convert hue from degrees to radians
hue_radians = oklch_H × (π / 180)
// Step 2: Convert polar coordinates to rectangular coordinates
oklab_L = oklch_L // Lightness remains the same
oklab_A = oklch_C × cos(hue_radians) // A component (green-red axis)
oklab_B = oklch_C × sin(hue_radians) // B component (blue-yellow axis)
// Example conversion:
// OKLCH: L=0.628, C=0.258, H=29.23°
// Step 1: hue_radians = 29.23 × (π/180) = 0.510 radians
// Step 2:
// oklab_L = 0.628
// oklab_A = 0.258 × cos(0.510) = 0.258 × 0.875 = 0.226
// oklab_B = 0.258 × sin(0.510) = 0.258 × 0.485 = 0.125
// Result: OKLAB(0.628, 0.226, 0.125)Why This Simple Conversion?
The OKLCH to OKLAB conversion is mathematically simple because both formats represent the same Oklab color space. OKLCH uses polar coordinates (radius and angle) while OKLAB uses rectangular coordinates (x and y). This conversion is lossless and reversible, making it perfect for switching between intuitive color selection (OKLCH) and mathematical color operations (OKLAB).
OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion Examples: Real-World Color Transformations
These practical OKLCH to OKLAB conversion examples demonstrate how our converter transforms polar OKLCH coordinates into rectangular OKLAB coordinates, enabling different types of color manipulation workflows.
Vibrant Red
Pure red color conversion
OKLCH Input
oklch(0.628 0.258 29.23)OKLAB Output
oklab(0.628 0.226 0.125)Use Case
Color mixing algorithms, mathematical operations
Bright Green
Success indicator color
OKLCH Input
oklch(0.867 0.295 142.5)OKLAB Output
oklab(0.867 -0.233 0.179)Use Case
Linear interpolation, color analysis
Pure Blue
Primary brand color
OKLCH Input
oklch(0.452 0.313 264.1)OKLAB Output
oklab(0.452 -0.032 -0.311)Use Case
Delta-E calculations, color difference analysis
Advanced OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion Scenarios
Color Mixing Applications
Converting OKLCH to OKLAB enables linear color mixing and interpolation. OKLAB's rectangular coordinates allow for mathematically accurate color blending.
oklch(0.65 0.20 15) → oklab(0.65 0.193 0.052)oklch(0.75 0.15 180) → oklab(0.75 -0.150 0.000)Color Analysis Workflows
OKLAB format is ideal for color difference calculations, clustering algorithms, and perceptual color analysis in design systems.
oklch(0.85 0.08 140) → oklab(0.85 -0.061 0.052)oklch(0.90 0.12 85) → oklab(0.90 -0.010 0.120)How to Implement OKLCH to OKLAB Conversion in Your Projects
JavaScript Implementation
// Professional OKLCH to OKLAB converter function
function oklchToOklab(oklch) {
const { l, c, h } = oklch;
// Convert hue from degrees to radians
const hueRadians = h * Math.PI / 180;
// Convert polar to rectangular coordinates
const oklabL = l; // Lightness remains the same
const oklabA = c * Math.cos(hueRadians); // A component
const oklabB = c * Math.sin(hueRadians); // B component
return {
l: Math.round(oklabL * 1000) / 1000,
a: Math.round(oklabA * 1000) / 1000,
b: Math.round(oklabB * 1000) / 1000
};
}
// Example usage for OKLCH to OKLAB conversion
const oklchColor = { l: 0.628, c: 0.258, h: 29.23 };
const oklabResult = oklchToOklab(oklchColor);
console.log(`oklab(${oklabResult.l} ${oklabResult.a} ${oklabResult.b})`);
// Color mixing example using OKLAB
function mixOklabColors(color1, color2, ratio = 0.5) {
return {
l: color1.l * (1 - ratio) + color2.l * ratio,
a: color1.a * (1 - ratio) + color2.a * ratio,
b: color1.b * (1 - ratio) + color2.b * ratio
};
}CSS Integration
/* Using OKLCH to OKLAB converted values in CSS */
.color-mixing-example {
/* Original OKLCH: oklch(0.65 0.20 250) */
/* Converted OKLAB for mixing: */
background-color: oklab(0.65 -0.064 -0.188);
}
.mathematical-operations {
/* OKLCH: oklch(0.75 0.15 120) */
/* OKLAB equivalent for calculations: */
color: oklab(0.75 -0.130 0.075);
}
/* Color interpolation using OKLAB */
@keyframes color-transition {
from {
background-color: oklab(0.60 0.150 0.100);
}
to {
background-color: oklab(0.80 -0.100 0.050);
}
}
.animated-color {
animation: color-transition 2s ease-in-out infinite alternate;
}Best Practices
- Use OKLAB for mathematical color operations
- Validate OKLAB values are within valid ranges
- Consider browser support for oklab() CSS function
Frequently Asked Questions: OKLCH to OKLAB Color Conversion
When should I use OKLAB instead of OKLCH?
Use OKLAB when you need to perform mathematical operations on colors, such as color mixing, interpolation, or difference calculations. OKLAB's rectangular coordinates make linear operations straightforward and mathematically accurate. OKLCH is better for intuitive color selection and adjustment, while OKLAB excels in algorithmic color manipulation and analysis workflows.
Is the OKLCH to OKLAB conversion lossless?
Yes, the OKLCH to OKLAB conversion is completely lossless and reversible. Both formats represent the same Oklab color space using different coordinate systems - polar (OKLCH) and rectangular (OKLAB). The conversion is a simple mathematical transformation that preserves all color information, allowing you to switch between formats without any data loss or color accuracy degradation.
How do I mix colors using OKLAB coordinates?
Color mixing in OKLAB is performed using linear interpolation between the L, A, and B components. Simply multiply each component by the mixing ratio and add them together. For example, to mix two colors equally: mixed_L = (color1_L + color2_L) / 2. This approach produces perceptually uniform color transitions and accurate intermediate colors, making OKLAB ideal for gradient generation and color blending algorithms.
What are the valid ranges for OKLAB values?
OKLAB values have specific ranges: L (lightness) ranges from 0 to 1, where 0 is black and 1 is white. The A component (green-red axis) typically ranges from -0.4 to +0.4, where negative values tend toward green and positive values toward red. The B component (blue-yellow axis) also ranges from -0.4 to +0.4, where negative values tend toward blue and positive values toward yellow. Our converter automatically validates these ranges.
Can I use OKLAB in CSS directly?
Yes, modern browsers support the oklab() CSS function as part of CSS Color Level 4. You can use oklab(L A B) syntax directly in CSS, where L is the lightness (0-1 or 0%-100%) and A, B are the color components (-0.4 to 0.4 or as percentages). However, for broader browser compatibility, consider providing fallback colors in more widely supported formats like RGB or HSL alongside OKLAB values.
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