search
HomeWeb Front-endCSS Tutorialcss color: introduction to different definitions of color in css

Color is widely used in CSS, whether it is text color, background color, gradient, shadow, border... all require a method of defining color, and each color definition method has its own advantages and disadvantages. This article will share with you the different definitions of color in CSS.

The color attribute is very simple to define the color of text. More importantly, the definition of color can use different types of color units. (Recommended course: css video tutorial)

Color Name

CSS provides more than 140 color names, starting from the most basic Colors are some richer colors can be said to be colorful.

body{ color: black;}
a{ color: orange;}

The above example is defined with specific color names, but because color names are difficult to remember, and maybe you want a very specific color, the color name may not be easy to use, Let's take a look at other ways to define colors

RGB

Computer monitors, TVs, and mobile phones all use the RGB color model to display colors. Basically, every color is defined by a combination of red, green, and blue. There are 256 possible values ​​for red, green or blue. Since computers start counting at 0 (zero), the maximum value is 255.

Considering that color is the result of the combination of red, green and blue, and since each of these 3 colors has 256 possible values, 256 * 256 * 256 = 16,777,216 colors can be used .

Because the RGB model is directly related to the way colors are physically rendered, it has become a CSS color unit.

For example, you could define red as 219 red, 78 green, and 68 blue:

a{ color: rgb(219, 78, 68);}

Black is not red, green, or blue:

body{ color: rgb(0, 0, 0);}

in the spectrum On the other side, white is the full amount of each red, green and blue:

body{ color: rgb(255, 255, 255);}

RGBA

rgba color unit is rgb, which is the alpha we added Value (ranging from 0 to 1, in decimal values) that defines what the color transparency is:

body{ color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);}

A slightly transparent black.

The purpose of color transparency is to blend with the background, so it looks slightly different depending on the context. It's especially useful for background colors.

HSL and HSLA

HSL is another way to define colors. Think of it like a color wheel.

css color: introduction to different definitions of color in css

You can define it this way: Instead of combining colors as red, green and blue.

Hue values ​​range from 0 to 360, limiting them to specific colors.

Saturation is a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%, that defines how dark or light you want the color to be.

Brightness is a percentage, ranging from 0% to 100%, that defines how bright you want the color to be.

Similarly, you can define it this way in HSL:

a{ color: hsl(4, 68%, 56%);}

4 means red 68% means red is very prominent 56% means it is between black and white

## The #hsl color unit is easier to understand than rgb because the expected result is clear. You basically define the color in 3 separate steps and can use each value to render the color you want. If you wanted a yellow shade, you could start with values ​​like hsl(50, 68%, 56%) and change the saturation and brightness values ​​to find the specific shade you're looking for.

I think hsl is more readable for humans, while rgb is more computer readable.

hsla is the same as hsl, only adding the ability to define the alpha value of transparency:

body{ color: hsla(4, 68%, 56%, 0.5);}

Transparent red.

Hex

Colors in CSS can also be defined with hexadecimal values, such as #db4e44.

To understand what a hexadecimal value is, let’s look at how binary and decimal work:

#Decimal#Hex01234 56789ABCDEF

Treat 0-9 numbers and AF letters as symbols.

Humans use decimal. We have 10 symbols to form numbers.

In hexadecimal, we have 16 symbols to form numbers. Since 0-9 are not enough symbols, we also use A to F. It starts from scratch. So:

4The number in hexadecimal is 4

12The number in hexadecimal is C

16The number in hexadecimal is 10 because in After running out of symbols (last symbol F) add a second symbol on the left and increment (0 to 1) while the symbol on the right starts from (F to 0)

Do I have to remember this?

not at all! An explanation of how hexadecimal values ​​work is provided here. The most important thing to remember is that there are 16 hexadecimal symbols.

Just like RGB, hexadecimal color values ​​are combinations of red, green and blue, each of them is represented as a hexadecimal value such as DB red, 4E green and 44 blue color.

Because there can only be 2 symbols for red, green or blue, their possible values ​​are 16 * 16 = 256, which reflects the RGB color units!

Why not use RGB?

Generally, when choosing colors, don't write them directly. You can use the color picker or copy/paste it from Photoshop or choose a palette somewhere.

Hex values ​​are easier to copy and paste because they only contain 6 characters.

css color: introduction to different definitions of color in css

It's easier to paste a single field than 3 separate fields.

In CSS, you just prepend the hash with the hexadecimal color value #.

Which one to choose?

If you don't plan on using any transparent colors, stick with hex values ​​as they are easier to copy/paste and don't take up as much space in your code.

If you want some transparency, convert the color from hex to rgba and then use rgba color units.

If you want to use colors directly in the browser, you can use hsl.

Binary 0 1













0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9






The above is the detailed content of css color: introduction to different definitions of color in css. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Statement
The content of this article is voluntarily contributed by netizens, and the copyright belongs to the original author. This site does not assume corresponding legal responsibility. If you find any content suspected of plagiarism or infringement, please contact admin@php.cn
Orbital Mechanics (or How I Optimized a CSS Keyframes Animation)Orbital Mechanics (or How I Optimized a CSS Keyframes Animation)May 09, 2025 am 09:57 AM

What does it look like to refactor your own code? John Rhea picks apart an old CSS animation he wrote and walks through the thought process of optimizing it.

CSS Animations: Is it hard to create them?CSS Animations: Is it hard to create them?May 09, 2025 am 12:03 AM

CSSanimationsarenotinherentlyhardbutrequirepracticeandunderstandingofCSSpropertiesandtimingfunctions.1)Startwithsimpleanimationslikescalingabuttononhoverusingkeyframes.2)Useeasingfunctionslikecubic-bezierfornaturaleffects,suchasabounceanimation.3)For

@keyframes CSS: The most used tricks@keyframes CSS: The most used tricksMay 08, 2025 am 12:13 AM

@keyframesispopularduetoitsversatilityandpowerincreatingsmoothCSSanimations.Keytricksinclude:1)Definingsmoothtransitionsbetweenstates,2)Animatingmultiplepropertiessimultaneously,3)Usingvendorprefixesforbrowsercompatibility,4)CombiningwithJavaScriptfo

CSS Counters: A Comprehensive Guide to Automatic NumberingCSS Counters: A Comprehensive Guide to Automatic NumberingMay 07, 2025 pm 03:45 PM

CSSCountersareusedtomanageautomaticnumberinginwebdesigns.1)Theycanbeusedfortablesofcontents,listitems,andcustomnumbering.2)Advancedusesincludenestednumberingsystems.3)Challengesincludebrowsercompatibilityandperformanceissues.4)Creativeusesinvolvecust

Modern Scroll Shadows Using Scroll-Driven AnimationsModern Scroll Shadows Using Scroll-Driven AnimationsMay 07, 2025 am 10:34 AM

Using scroll shadows, especially for mobile devices, is a subtle bit of UX that Chris has covered before. Geoff covered a newer approach that uses the animation-timeline property. Here’s yet another way.

Revisiting Image MapsRevisiting Image MapsMay 07, 2025 am 09:40 AM

Let’s run through a quick refresher. Image maps date all the way back to HTML 3.2, where, first, server-side maps and then client-side maps defined clickable regions over an image using map and area elements.

State of Devs: A Survey for Every DeveloperState of Devs: A Survey for Every DeveloperMay 07, 2025 am 09:30 AM

The State of Devs survey is now open to participation, and unlike previous surveys it covers everything except code: career, workplace, but also health, hobbies, and more. 

What is CSS Grid?What is CSS Grid?Apr 30, 2025 pm 03:21 PM

CSS Grid is a powerful tool for creating complex, responsive web layouts. It simplifies design, improves accessibility, and offers more control than older methods.

See all articles

Hot AI Tools

Undresser.AI Undress

Undresser.AI Undress

AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover

AI Clothes Remover

Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Undress AI Tool

Undress AI Tool

Undress images for free

Clothoff.io

Clothoff.io

AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap

Video Face Swap

Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Tools

Dreamweaver Mac version

Dreamweaver Mac version

Visual web development tools

SAP NetWeaver Server Adapter for Eclipse

SAP NetWeaver Server Adapter for Eclipse

Integrate Eclipse with SAP NetWeaver application server.

SublimeText3 Chinese version

SublimeText3 Chinese version

Chinese version, very easy to use

MantisBT

MantisBT

Mantis is an easy-to-deploy web-based defect tracking tool designed to aid in product defect tracking. It requires PHP, MySQL and a web server. Check out our demo and hosting services.

DVWA

DVWA

Damn Vulnerable Web App (DVWA) is a PHP/MySQL web application that is very vulnerable. Its main goals are to be an aid for security professionals to test their skills and tools in a legal environment, to help web developers better understand the process of securing web applications, and to help teachers/students teach/learn in a classroom environment Web application security. The goal of DVWA is to practice some of the most common web vulnerabilities through a simple and straightforward interface, with varying degrees of difficulty. Please note that this software