How color works

RGB describes color as a mix of red, green, and blue components. Each channel runs from 0 (none) to 255 (full). The value `rgb(0, 212, 160)` means zero red, strong green, moderate blue — a teal.

RGB is an additive model: it describes emitted light. All channels at full (`255, 255, 255`) produce white; all at zero produce black. This model underpins every digital display, camera sensor, and LED.

Hex codes express RGB in base-16: `#RRGGBB`. Each pair maps to one channel from `00` (0) to `ff` (255). So `#00d4a0` = 0 red, 212 green, 160 blue — the same teal as `rgb(0, 212, 160)`.

The shorthand `#abc` expands to `#aabbcc`. Hex is the universal language of digital color — used in CSS, design tools, brand guidelines, and graphics software.

Color mixes in two opposite ways depending on the medium. Additive mixing combines *light* — more light means brighter, toward white. Subtractive mixing combines *pigments* — more pigment absorbs more light, toward dark.

Understanding this distinction prevents costly mistakes: a vibrant screen color may look dull in print because the two systems have different gamuts and opposite mixing behavior.