How to pick a color from your screen on a Mac

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Matching a color from a website, a screenshot or a design means getting its exact value. Here's how to grab any color on your screen.

Digital Color Meter (built in)

Open Digital Color Meter from Applications → Utilities and move the pointer over the color. It shows the red, green and blue values live. To keep a color, press ⌘L to lock the position, then choose Color → Copy Color as Text (⇧⌘C).

It works, but it's one more app to open, and the values it copies need tidying up before you paste them into CSS or a design tool.

Pick and copy in one move with Helix

With Helix, hold ⌥Space, point at Color Picker and let go. The system magnifier appears; click any pixel and its hex code is on your clipboard, ready to paste.

  • Want RGB or HSL instead? Keep moving outward on Color Picker and pick the format on the outer ring.
  • Values are written the way CSS takes them, so they paste straight into code.
  • Press Esc to cancel without copying.

Every color you pick also lands in Helix's clipboard history, so you can paste one you picked earlier without picking it again.

Questions

Does a Mac have a built-in color picker?

Yes. Digital Color Meter, in Applications → Utilities, shows the color under your pointer. It shows numbers rather than copying a hex code you can paste straight into CSS.

How do I get a hex code from my screen?

With Helix, hold ⌥Space, point at Color Picker and let go. Click any pixel in the magnifier and its hex code, like #3A6FF7, is copied.

Which formats can Helix copy?

Hex, RGB and HSL, written the way CSS takes them. The slice copies hex; its options on the outer ring copy RGB or HSL.

Can I cancel without copying anything?

Yes. Press Esc while the magnifier is open.

Helix is a one-time purchase for macOS 14 or later, with 16 tools in one ring. See how it works.

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