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HEX (or hexadecimal) code) is a number system that uses 16 characters to represent numbers. Includes the numbers 0 to 9 and six letters A to F, which correspond to decimal values 10 to 15. In the hexadecimal number system, each digit is represented by 4 bits.
For example:
- 0 in HEX = 0 in decimal
- 1 in HEX = 1 in decimal
- 9 in HEX = 9 in decimal
- A in HEX = 10 in decimal
- F in HEX = 15 in decimal
- 10 in HEX = 16 in decimal
- 1F in HEX = 31 in decimal
Hexadecimal code is widely used in programming, especially for the representation of memory addresses, colors in web design, and other cases where compactness and convenience of bit information representation are important.
What is HEX color and how does it work?
HEX color uses hexadecimal code to represent colors in web design and other digital media. Each HEX color consists of six characters that represent triples of values for red (R), green (G), and blue (B) channels. Displayed in #RRGGBB format, where each even character corresponds to one byte (eight-bit value) for each color.
For example:
- #FF0000 represents pure red (255 for R, 0 for G and B).
- #00FF00 represents pure green (0 for R, 255 for G, and 0 for B).
- #0000FF represents pure blue (0 for R and G, 255 for B).
- #FFFFFF represents white (255 for all three channels).
Color in HEX format makes it possible to accurately determine colors and easily interact with them during web development. Each channel can take values from 00 to FF (0 to 255 in decimal), allowing a wide range of colors. Mixing different values of R, G and B allows you to get many different shades and colors.
How many HEX colors can there be?
The HEX code for the color is represented by a hexadecimal number six characters long. Each of these characters can take one of 16 possible values (0-9 and AF or af), making 16 choices for each of the six characters.
So, the total number of possible HEX colors can be calculated as 16 to the power of 6 (since there are six characters). This equates to 16.777.216 possible colors. This includes all possible combinations of red, green and blue colors, which allows you to get a wide range of shades and saturation.
Short HEX color entry
There is a short record of HEX color (before that we considered the 6-character option). In a short entry, each of the three channels (red, green, blue) is reduced to one character if both channel characters are the same. For example, if the red channel has the value "AA", the green channel "BB" and the blue channel "CC", then the short entry will be "#ABC".
Therefore, a short HEX color record allows you to store and transmit color information more efficiently, especially if both characters for each channel are equal.
Is there transparency in HEX colors?
Transparency can be used in HEX colors using an additional byte that indicates the level of transparency. This byte is added to the standard HEX color code and is called an alpha channel.
The standard HEX code has the format #RRGGBB, where RR corresponds to a red channel, GG to green, and BB to blue. If you add an alpha channel, the format will look like this: #RRGGBBAA. The alpha channel determines the degree of transparency, where 00 indicates complete transparency, and FF - complete opacity.
For example:
- #FF0000FF represents red with complete opacity.
- #00FF00A0 represents green with half transparency.
This format is sometimes used in web design (more detailed information can be read here) and graphics to create transparent or translucent elements.
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