Free Online Tool

Is My Image RGB
or CMYK?

Upload your image and instantly see its color mode, dominant colors, and whether it's ready for professional printing. Sending an RGB file to print can cause unexpected color shifts — catch it before you order.

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Color Mode Analysis
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RGB vs CMYK — what's the difference?

RGB (Red, Green, Blue) is an additive color model designed for screens. It can produce vivid, luminous colors that a monitor can display but a printer cannot physically reproduce. CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) is the subtractive model used by printing presses — it works by layering ink on paper. Colors that look bright in RGB often appear duller or shift noticeably when converted to CMYK.

Why does it matter for printing?

If you send an RGB file to a professional print shop, the printer's RIP software will auto-convert it to CMYK. This conversion is rarely perfect — bright blues can turn purple, vivid oranges can go muddy, and neon colors can lose most of their punch. Converting yourself in Photoshop or Illustrator lets you see and fix those shifts before you order, so you get exactly what you designed.

How this tool works

This tool samples pixel color data from your image and analyzes the distribution of color channel values. Because browsers render all images as RGB, this tool looks at color saturation patterns and channel relationships to estimate whether your image was likely prepared for screen or print. For a definitive result, open your file in Photoshop and check Image → Mode.

How to convert RGB to CMYK

In Adobe Photoshop go to Image → Mode → CMYK Color. In Illustrator go to File → Document Color Mode → CMYK. Always convert before you finalize your design — some colors will shift, and you'll want to adjust them manually. Save as a TIFF or PDF for best print compatibility. Printkeg accepts CMYK TIFF, PDF, and JPG files.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between RGB and CMYK?
RGB is an additive color model for screens — it mixes red, green, and blue light to create colors. CMYK is a subtractive model for print — it layers cyan, magenta, yellow, and black ink on paper. The two systems have different color gamuts, meaning some RGB colors simply cannot be reproduced in CMYK print.
Does it matter if I send an RGB file to print?
Yes. Most professional print shops require CMYK files. If you send RGB, the printer will auto-convert it, which can cause unexpected and sometimes significant color shifts — especially with bright blues, purples, and oranges. Always convert to CMYK yourself so you can see and correct any color changes before ordering.
How do I convert RGB to CMYK in Photoshop?
Go to Image → Mode → CMYK Color. Photoshop will convert the file and you'll be able to see any color shifts immediately. Adjust colors that look off, then save as TIFF or PDF. Do this conversion early in your workflow — ideally before you start designing — to avoid surprises at the end.
Why can't this tool definitively detect CMYK?
Web browsers decode all images into RGB pixel data, stripping out embedded ICC profiles and CMYK channel information in the process. This tool analyzes the pixel color distribution to give you a strong indication, but the only way to confirm CMYK mode definitively is to open the file in Photoshop and check Image → Mode.
What color mode does Printkeg require?
Printkeg recommends CMYK for all print files to ensure accurate color reproduction. Files should be at 300 DPI at the final print size, saved as TIFF, PDF, or high-quality JPG. If you submit RGB files, Printkeg will convert them, but the results may not match what you see on screen.

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