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To capture a color anywhere on your Windows 11 screen, use Microsoft PowerToys Color Picker: enable it, press the default Win + Shift + C shortcut, and select the color. For a color in an image, Paint is a convenient alternative and supports HEX, RGB, and HSV codes.
1. Use PowerToys Color Picker for any screen color
PowerToys is a separate, free, open-source collection of Windows utilities, not a feature built into every Windows 11 installation. Its Color Picker can sample a visible screen color and copy it in a configurable format.
Set up Color Picker
- Install and open Microsoft PowerToys.
- In PowerToys Settings, select Color Picker.
- Turn on Enable Color Picker.
- Check the activation shortcut. The documented default is Win + Shift + C, but you can change it in settings.
Pick a color from the screen
- Display the color you want to inspect, such as a painted reference image, website, illustration, or application interface.
- Press the Color Picker activation shortcut.
- Move the pointer over the target. For a small area, scroll up to zoom in beneath the cursor before selecting it.
- Left-click to select the color. By default, this copies the color and opens the editor, where you can view HEX and RGB values.
- Paste the copied value into your design software, notes, or code editor.
The default clipboard format is HEX; you can change it in Color Picker settings. Clicking the scroll wheel copies the selection and exits the picker. Right-click closes it without copying. The editor also keeps a history of picked colors that you can copy or export.
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If the shortcut does not work
- PowerToys is not running: Open PowerToys and confirm that Color Picker is enabled.
- The shortcut was changed: Check the activation shortcut in Color Picker settings.
- The target is too small: Move the pointer close to it, activate the picker, then scroll up to zoom before selecting.
- The output is in the wrong notation: Change the clipboard format in Color Picker settings or inspect another supported format in the editor.
2. Use Paint for a color in an image
If the color is in an image you can open or paste into Paint, Paint provides an image-focused alternative. Microsoft documents that Paint’s color picker supports HEX, RGB, and HSV codes. PowerToys is more convenient when the color is anywhere on screen; Paint is useful when you are already working with an image there.
- Open Paint and open or paste the image containing the color.
- Use Paint’s color picker to select the relevant image color.
- Use Paint’s color-code support to work with the color in HEX, RGB, or HSV format.
Microsoft’s product information confirms the picker and supported formats, but does not specify detailed current-UI steps for reading a sampled value. Avoid relying on a particular button sequence, which may vary by version.
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Compare the methods
| Method | Where the color comes from | Setup and workflow | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PowerToys Color Picker | Any visible screen content | Install PowerToys, enable Color Picker, select a color, and copy its code | System-wide sampling and quick clipboard access |
| Paint | An image open or pasted in Paint | Use Paint’s color picker; supported code formats include HEX, RGB, and HSV | Working with an image in Paint |
| Snipping Tool color picker | Screen content | Availability is limited to Windows 11 AI+ PCs, also called Copilot+ PCs | Users with a supported PC who prefer Snipping Tool |
The Windows 11 Snipping Tool also has a color picker, but Microsoft’s current documentation limits this feature to Windows 11 AI+ PCs (Copilot+ PCs). Do not assume it is available on every Windows 11 computer.
HEX and RGB: what is the difference?
HEX and RGB are different notations for a color’s red, green, and blue components. Use whichever format your destination tool accepts.
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| Format | How it represents color |
|---|---|
| HEX | Two hexadecimal characters represent each red, green, and blue channel. |
| RGB | Three decimal values represent the red, green, and blue channels. |
HEX is common in HTML, CSS, and design software, while RGB is often used in application dialogs and programming interfaces. Neither notation is inherently more accurate; they represent color differently.
How accurate is a screen color picker?
A screen picker reads the displayed pixel, which may differ from the original color specification behind it. For a closer practical match, sample a flat, opaque area in the state you want to reproduce. If the exact source value matters, inspect the original design file or the application’s color settings instead of relying only on a screenshot.
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- Transparency: A transparent layer blends with what is behind it.
- Anti-aliasing: Text and curved edges contain blended pixels. Sample a shape’s flat interior rather than its boundary.
- Gradients: A gradient has many colors; sample the specific point you need.
- Hover and focus states: Controls can change color when hovered or focused. Sample the intended state.
- Scaling: Image, browser, or display scaling can affect which displayed pixel is under the pointer. Zooming helps target a pixel but cannot recover an unseen source value.
- HDR and wide-gamut content: PowerToys documents limitations in these workflows, so its result is not guaranteed to represent the source color in every color-managed context.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quickest way to find a color code on Windows 11?
Enable Color Picker in Microsoft PowerToys, press its activation shortcut (default Win + Shift + C), and select the color. The default copied format is HEX; you can change it in settings and view HEX and RGB in the editor.
Can I get a color code from an image in Paint?
Yes. Paint includes a color picker and supports HEX, RGB, and HSV codes. It is a convenient option when the image is open or can be opened in Paint.
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Is the Snipping Tool color picker available on every Windows 11 PC?
No. Microsoft’s current documentation says the Snipping Tool color picker is available only on Windows 11 AI+ PCs, also called Copilot+ PCs.
Why does a sampled color not match the original design value?
The picker samples the displayed pixel. Transparency, anti-aliasing, gradients, hover states, scaling, HDR, or wide-gamut content can affect the result. Sample a flat, opaque area when possible, or check the original design file for its source value.
Can PowerPoint’s Eyedropper sample a screen color?
Yes. PowerPoint desktop has an Eyedropper that can sample screen colors and show RGB coordinates while you work on a slide. It is a specialized option for people already editing in PowerPoint, rather than a general system-wide workflow.
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