CSS Function

lch()

The lch() function specifies colors using CIE Lightness, Chroma, and Hue, offering a perceptually uniform color space.

Syntax

lch(L C H / alpha)

Parameters

NameTypeRequiredDescription
Lnumber | percentageYesCIE Lightness, from 0 (black) to 100 (white)
CnumberYesChroma (color intensity), typically 0 to 230
Hnumber | angleYesHue angle in degrees (0-360)
alphanumber | percentageNoOpacity, from 0 to 1

Examples

Vivid blue

A vivid blue at 50% lightness.

css
color: lch(50 100 260);

Muted warm tone

A soft warm beige.

css
background: lch(70 30 50);

Tailwind arbitrary value

Using lch in a Tailwind arbitrary value.

html
<div class="text-[lch(50_100_260)]">Blue text</div>

Browser Support

Chrome

v111++

Firefox

v113++

Safari

v15.4++

Edge

v111++

Opera

v97++

Tailwind Equivalent

You can achieve similar results in Tailwind CSS using the following utility classes:

Use arbitrary values: bg-[lch(50_100_260)]

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between lch and oklch?
Both are perceptually uniform, but OKLCH improves on LCH by fixing hue shifts in blue tones and providing more even chroma distribution.
When should I use lch?
Use lch when you need perceptual uniformity and wide gamut colors but want the CIE LAB-based lightness scale (0-100).

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