OKLCH vs HSL
Both formats describe color with hue and two other values. The difference is that OKLCH is built around how people see color, and HSL isn’t.
The problem with HSL lightness
Set yellow and blue to the same HSL lightness, and yellow looks far brighter:
color: hsl(60 100% 50%); /* bright yellow */
color: hsl(240 100% 50%); /* dark blue */In OKLCH, lightness matches what you see much more closely. Colors with the same value look similarly bright, so palettes are easier to balance.
Side by side
| HSL | OKLCH | |
|---|---|---|
| Lightness | Varies by hue | Closely matches what people see |
| Color range | sRGB only | Includes wider color spaces |
| Browser support | Universal | All modern browsers |
| Easy to read | Familiar | Takes a little learning |
When to use each
- Use OKLCH for design systems, generated shades and vivid colors on modern screens.
- Use HSL for quick one-off colors, or when you must support very old browsers.
Ready to switch? Convert a color with the HEX to OKLCH Converter, then follow our guide on how to use OKLCH in CSS.
Tools used in this guide
OKLCH Color ConverterPick colors in OKLCH with lightness, chroma and hue sliders and convert between OKLCH, HEX, RGB, HSL and OKLab — with sRGB gamut check and CSS fallbacks.HEX to OKLCH ConverterConvert any HEX color to OKLCH for modern CSS.Color ConverterFree online color converter: turn HEX into RGB, HSL, HWB, OKLCH, CMYK and CSS color names, then generate a 50–950 tint & shade palette as CSS variables.
Frequently asked questions
Is OKLCH better than HSL?
For building palettes, usually yes, because its lightness is more consistent. HSL is still fine for simple cases.
What is the difference between LCH and OKLCH?
Both describe color the same way, but OKLCH uses a newer model that keeps hues more stable as lightness changes.
