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CMYK to Pantone Reference Matcher — Compare Color References.
Convert percentages to approximate display colors and compare to reference swatches supplied by the user.
This interactive CMYK to Pantone Reference Matcher workspace requires JavaScript. How-to instructions, methodology and FAQs are available below.
How to use CMYK to Pantone Reference Matcher
Convert percentages to approximate display colors and compare to reference swatches supplied by the user.
- Enter cyan, magenta, yellow and black percentages from 0 to 100.
- Optionally paste a reference palette as name,#HEX on separate lines.
- View the approximate sRGB preview and closest supplied references ranked by color-distance; use Bulk mode for more CMYK rows.
Worked example
Enter C=15 M=70 Y=35 K=0 and compare the generated HEX preview against a pasted swatch palette such as ‘My reference red,#C64E85’.
How the tool works and its limitations
The screen preview uses the naive device-independent CMYK formula R=255(1−C)(1−K), likewise for G and B. User-supplied swatch HEX values are compared using CIE76 ΔE in CIELAB from sRGB. This is not a profile-aware CMYK-to-Pantone conversion: exact matching requires manufacturer-authorized references, substrate, lighting and press proofing.
Frequently asked questions
Does it provide official PANTONE numbers?
No. The tool will only name Pantone or other references if you supply licensed reference names and HEX approximations yourself.
Will screen colors match printed inks?
Not necessarily. CMYK output depends on print profiles, ink, paper and calibration.
Can I compare several colors?
Yes. Add multiple CMYK percentages in Bulk mode and supply a list of known swatch references.
Privacy, compatibility and safety
Computations run locally using browser JavaScript. The tool does not intentionally send input data or uploaded file contents to Solvory’s servers. Modern browser APIs, JavaScript support and available device memory affect compatibility and batch size. Inspect the output before using it for critical professional work.