Split the hex value into three pairs of digits and convert each pair from hexadecimal to decimal. For example, #FF5733 splits into FF, 57, and 33, which become rgb(255, 87, 51).

HSL expresses a color as hue, saturation, and lightness, which matches how people think about colors. It is ideal for programmatic adjustments — for example, generating a lighter or darker shade of a brand color by changing only the lightness component.

All formats render identically. Hex is the most compact, rgb()/rgba() is the most widely readable, and hsl() is the most convenient when you need to derive color variations in code. Modern CSS also accepts 8-digit hex like #FF5733FF for alpha.