RAL to HEX
Enter a RAL Classic code such as RAL 9010 or 7016 to get its approximate HEX, RGB and CMYK values with a large swatch. You can also search the full RAL Classic chart by name, or paste a HEX color to find the closest RAL shades.
Last updated:
4 digits, with or without RAL
How to use the RAL to HEX
- Choose a mode. RAL code → HEX, Search by name, or HEX → nearest RAL.
- Enter a code such as RAL 9010, 7016 or 3020. The RAL prefix and spaces are optional.
- Read the values. The swatch shows the color with its HEX, RGB, CMYK, HSL and approximate LRV.
- Search by name with words like anthracite, signal or pearl, and narrow the list by family (1xxx yellow to 9xxx white and black).
- Match a screen color. Paste a HEX or RGB value to get the six nearest RAL Classic colors ranked by Delta E.
RAL Classic color families
RAL Classic is a European color standard created in 1927 and used for paint, powder coating, plastics, signs and architecture. Each code has four digits; the first digit tells you the family.
| Codes | Family | Popular examples (approx. HEX) |
|---|---|---|
| 1000-1037 | Yellow and beige | RAL 1013 Oyster white #E3D9C6, RAL 1015 Light ivory #E6D2B5, RAL 1023 Traffic yellow #F7B500 |
| 2000-2013 | Orange | RAL 2004 Pure orange #E25303, RAL 2009 Traffic orange #DE5307 |
| 3000-3033 | Red | RAL 3000 Flame red #A72920, RAL 3005 Wine red #59191F, RAL 3020 Traffic red #BB1E10 |
| 4001-4012 | Violet | RAL 4005 Blue lilac #76689A, RAL 4010 Telemagenta #BC4077 |
| 5000-5026 | Blue | RAL 5010 Gentian blue #004F7C, RAL 5015 Sky blue #007CB0, RAL 5011 Steel blue #1A2B3C |
| 6000-6039 | Green | RAL 6005 Moss green #114232, RAL 6009 Fir green #27352A, RAL 6018 Yellow green #61993B |
| 7000-7048 | Grey | RAL 7016 Anthracite grey #383E42, RAL 7035 Light grey #C5C7C4, RAL 7021 Black grey #2F3234 |
| 8000-8029 | Brown | RAL 8017 Chocolate brown #442F29, RAL 8019 Grey brown #3D3635 |
| 9001-9023 | White and black | RAL 9001 Cream #E9E0D2, RAL 9005 Jet black #0E0E10, RAL 9010 Pure white #F1ECE1, RAL 9016 Traffic white #F1F0EA |
How the conversion and matching work
Each RAL code is stored with a commonly used sRGB approximation. RGB is the HEX code split into its red, green and blue bytes. CMYK uses the basic formula K = 1 − max(R′, G′, B′) and C = (1 − R′ − K) / (1 − K) (likewise for M and Y), which is a starting point and not a substitute for a printer's ICC profile.
For the reverse lookup your color is converted to CIELAB (D50 white point) and compared with every RAL color using CIEDE2000, the color difference formula recommended by the CIE. It weights lightness, chroma and hue differences the way the eye perceives them, so the top match is the one that looks closest.
| ΔE00 | What you see |
|---|---|
| < 1 | No visible difference |
| 1-2 | Only a trained eye notices, side by side |
| 2-3.5 | Close; acceptable for many uses |
| 3.5-5 | Noticeable difference |
| > 5 | Clearly different colors |
Frequently asked questions
What is the HEX code for RAL 9010?
RAL 9010 Pure white is commonly shown on screen as #F1ECE1 (RGB 241, 236, 225). It is a warm, slightly creamy white often used for walls, windows and radiators.
What is the HEX code for RAL 7016 Anthracite grey?
RAL 7016 Anthracite grey is about #383E42 (RGB 56, 62, 66), a dark blue-grey that is popular for window frames, doors and garage doors.
Are RAL to HEX conversions exact?
No. RAL colors are defined by physical reference samples, not by screen values. The HEX values are widely used sRGB approximations, and the real coating also depends on gloss, texture and lighting. Always check a physical RAL fan deck before ordering paint or powder coat. Pearl and luminous colors in particular cannot be shown accurately on a screen.
What do the four digits in a RAL code mean?
The first digit is the color family: 1 yellow and beige, 2 orange, 3 red, 4 violet, 5 blue, 6 green, 7 grey, 8 brown and 9 white and black. The remaining three digits identify the shade within the family.
How do I find the RAL color closest to a HEX code?
Choose HEX → nearest RAL and enter the color. The tool converts it to CIELAB and compares it with every RAL Classic color using the CIEDE2000 formula. A ΔE below about 2 is a very close match; above 5 the colors look clearly different.
What is LRV?
Light reflectance value is the percentage of visible light a surface reflects, from 0 for black to 100 for a perfect white. It is used for accessibility contrast and for estimating how bright a room will feel. The value shown here is estimated from the screen color, so use the paint manufacturer's figure for specifications.
What is the difference between RAL Classic and RAL Design?
RAL Classic (the K7 fan deck) is the original collection of about 215 four-digit colors used for industrial coatings, powder coating and signage. RAL Design System Plus uses seven-digit codes based on hue, lightness and chroma and contains over 1,800 colors. This tool covers RAL Classic.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.