How do you read a hex color code?

Split the six digits into three pairs: RR GG BB. Each pair is a hexadecimal value from 00 (0) to FF (255) for red, green and blue. #FF0000 is pure red, #000000 black, #FFFFFF white.

What is the 3-digit hex shorthand?

When each pair has identical digits, you can write three digits instead of six: #F53 means #FF5533, #FFF means #FFFFFF. Browsers expand it automatically.

What Is a Hex Color Code?

Q: What is a hex color code?

A six-digit hexadecimal number (like #FF5733) that specifies a color by its red, green and blue components — the standard way colors are written in web design.

Q: What is the 8-digit hex code with alpha?

An extra pair (RRGGBBAA) sets transparency: #FF000080 is red at 50% opacity. Supported in modern browsers.

In short: hex = #RRGGBB — six hex digits for red, green, blue. Pick colors free →

Reading a hex code: #RRGGBB

Split the six digits into three pairs, each a hexadecimal value from 00 (0) to FF (255):

Code	R	G	B	Color
`#FF0000`	255	0	0	Pure red
`#00FF00`	0	255	0	Pure green
`#0000FF`	0	0	255	Pure blue
`#FF5733`	255	87	51	Warm orange-red
`#000000` / `#FFFFFF`	0 / 255	0 / 255	0 / 255	Black / White

Mixing the three channels at 256 levels each yields 16.7 million possible colors (256³) — more than the human eye distinguishes on screen.

The 3-digit shorthand

When both digits in each pair match, you can write just three: #F53 expands to #FF5533, #FFF to white, #000 to black. Browsers handle the expansion automatically — it's pure convenience for stylesheets.

Hex with transparency

Modern CSS also accepts 8-digit hex (#RRGGBBAA), where the final pair sets opacity: #FF000080 is red at roughly 50% transparency. For older-browser support, rgba() remains the safer spelling.

❓ Hex Code FAQs