RGB Color
Written by: Nate Torres
Last updated: January 28, 2025
RGB is a fundamental aspect of digital imaging and display technologies. A life without the RGB color model would be inaccurate and dull. In photography, RGB plays a vital role in capturing and creating moments with lifelike color fidelity, while also shaping the colorful digital experience we rely on worldwide...
What is RGB Color?
RGB stands for "Red, Green, and Blue" and are the three primary color of light that form the basis of what's called the "additive" color model that is used in devices like monitors, phone screens, cameras, and televisions.
RGB is an Additive Color Model
By combining different intensities of red, green, and blue light we can produce a wide range of colors. This additive property is why the RGB color model is "additive."
For example, if we were to add all three colors at their highest intensity, we would achieve white, and if we were to add all three colors at their lowest intensity (zero), we would achieve black.
RGB Value Ranges
You will encounter different values of RGB depending on the medium and device it's being used.
- In 8-bit color depth which is common in many digital devices, you will usually see them represented from a range of 0 to 255.
- In web design, each RGB value is often represented in hexadecimal format such as #FFFFFF for white and #000000 for black.
- In other systems that use floating-point representations, they can be represented from 0.0 to 1.0.
You may have also heard of the CMYK color model, so how does that differ from the RGB color model?
What is the Difference Between RGB and CMYK Color?
As a recap, RGB is an additive color model that stands for "Red, Green, and Blue." Well, CMYK is a subtractive color model that stands for "Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black."
RGB and CMYK are two different color models.
While RGB is an additive color model, CMYK is a subtractive color model that works by subtractive (absorbing) certain wavelengths of light while reflecting others. On paper, dyes or inks absorb or "subtract" light and the reflected light creates the color that we can see.
Because of its subtractive property, CMYK is commonly used in printing processes such as inkjet, laser, and offset printing -- pretty much any medium where color is applied to a physical surface.
Here's a table recapping the major difference between RGB and CMYK:
| Aspect | RGB (Red, Green, Blue) | CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) |
|---|---|---|
| Color Model | Additive | Subtractive |
| How Colors Are Formed | Light is added together; full intensity of R+G+B = White | Inks absorb (subtract) certain wavelengths; C+M+Y = muddy brown, hence K (black) is added |
| Primary Usage | For digital screens and devices that emit light | For printing (paper, packaging) and any surface that reflects light |
| Color Gamut | Typically wider; can display very bright, vibrant colors | Generally smaller; some bright RGB colors are not reproducible exactly in CMYK |
| Result of No Color | Black (no light emitted) | White (no ink applied, white paper is visible) |
| Common File Modes | Used in web/digital formats (JPEG, PNG, GIF, SVG) | Used in print-oriented files (PDF, AI, EPS, or specialized print-ready formats) |
| Conversion Notes | Converting from CMYK might appear more vibrant on screens | Converting from RGB can result in duller or shifted colors when printed |
RGB Practical Use Cases
There are many practical use cases for the RGB color:
| Use Case | Description | Reason for RGB |
|---|---|---|
| Web & UI Design | Designing websites, user interfaces, or interactive applications | Screens produce color via additive light, making RGB the native format. |
| Digital Photography | Editing and retouching photos in software like Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom | Cameras capture images in RGB; monitors also display in RGB for accuracy. |
| Animation & Video | Creating motion graphics, 3D animations, or video content for digital screens | Most digital video standards and pipelines operate on RGB color spaces. |
| Branding & Marketing | Developing digital brand assets (logos, social media posts, ads) | Ensures consistent appearance across various screens and devices. |
| Gaming & VR/AR | Rendering real-time graphics and immersive experiences on screens or headsets | 3D graphics engines use additive color rendering in real time for displays. |
| Digital Signage | Electronic billboards, LED walls, or large-format digital displays | LED displays rely on individual red, green, and blue diodes to form images. |
RGB and Photography
As photographers, it's important to have a basic understanding of RGB and how it works as it serves as the foundation for capturing and displaying images.
If you've spent any time in a photo editing platform like Adobe Photoshop, I'm sure you've seen sRGB or Adobe RGB. These are RGB color spaces and once a photo is taken, the camera or editing software can process our image RAW data into one of these RGB color spaces so they can be accurately displayed on our digital screens.
We then use Photoshop, Lightroom, or other editing software to edit the individual RGB channels, adjusting color balance, exposure, vibrancy, etc.
This editing workflow leverages the additive nature of RGB, ensuring our final images look true-to-life when viewed on a screen.
In the end, RGB is fundamental to both digital imaging and photography. Understanding the basics of RGB will level up your knowledge as a photographer and an artist.