Every Mac has two free color tools already installed. One lets you pick a color and drop it into whatever you are editing; the other lets you read the exact value of any pixel on your screen. Here is how to use both.
1. The Colors panel (the eyedropper built into almost every app)
Whenever you tap a color swatch in Notes, Pages, Keynote, Mail, TextEdit, or most design apps, macOS opens the shared Colors window. Look for the magnifier / eyedropper icon next to the color wheel at the top.
- Click a color swatch (for example, the text-color button in a toolbar) to open the Colors window.
- Click the eyedropper (magnifying-glass) icon.
- Your pointer becomes a zoomed loupe. Move it anywhere on screen, even over another app or a photo, and click.
- That exact color is now loaded into the swatch and applied to your selection.
The Colors window also has tabs across the top: the color wheel, sliders (switch the pop-up to RGB or, in newer macOS, type a Hex Color # code directly), color palettes, and an image tab you can drag a picture into and sample from.
2. Digital Color Meter (read the exact hex or RGB of any pixel)
When you need the precise value of a color already on screen, use Digital Color Meter. It ships with every Mac.
- Open Spotlight (Command-Space), type Digital Color Meter, and press Return. (It lives in Applications > Utilities.)
- Move your pointer over any pixel. The window shows a magnified view plus the color values.
- Click the pop-up menu (it usually reads Display native values) and choose Display in sRGB for standard web values.
- To see a hex code, open View > Display Values > as Hexadecimal. Now you get values like
#3A7BD5. - Press Command-L to lock the reading so it stops following your mouse, then copy it with Shift-Command-C.
Native vs sRGB: why the numbers can differ
Digital Color Meter defaults to your display native color space, which can read slightly different from the sRGB or hex value a website expects. For web and app design, set it to sRGB so your hex codes match what browsers render.
Quick reference
| You want to... | Use |
|---|---|
| Grab a color and apply it in an app | Colors panel eyedropper |
| Read the exact hex/RGB of a pixel | Digital Color Meter |
| Type a specific hex code in | Colors panel > sliders > Hex Color # |
| Sample from a photo | Colors panel > image tab |
FAQ
Does macOS have a system-wide eyedropper like Windows PowerToys?
The Colors panel eyedropper works from inside any app that opens it, and it can sample anywhere on screen. For a standalone reading of any pixel, Digital Color Meter is the built-in equivalent.
How do I copy a hex code from Digital Color Meter?
Set View > Display Values > as Hexadecimal, hover the pixel, press Command-L to lock, then Shift-Command-C to copy the value to your clipboard.
Why does my copied color look slightly off?
Digital Color Meter is likely showing display-native values. Switch the pop-up to Display in sRGB so the numbers match standard web color.
Which Mac is best for color-critical design work?
Any Apple-silicon Mac handles the color tools instantly. For accurate, wide-gamut work on a budget, refurbished M-series MacBook Airs and Pros hold their calibration well. See our best Mac for graphic design guide, or browse Apple clearance for the lowest prices on color-accurate displays.