How to pick a color from anywhere on your Mac’s screen
Open Digital Color Meter (Applications › Utilities), choose View › Display Values › as Hexadecimal and Display in sRGB, then point at any pixel to read its code, like #34D366. ⇧⌘C copies the color.
The built-in ways
- Digital Color Meter (Applications › Utilities): move the pointer over a pixel to read its values; choose Display in sRGB and View › Display Values › as Hexadecimal for a code like #34D366. ⇧⌘C copies the color.
- The color panel in apps like TextEdit or Pages (Format › Font › Show Colors): click the eyedropper and then any pixel.
One click
Questions
What exactly does Pick a Color copy?
The color’s sRGB hex code, like #34D366, as plain text — ready to paste into a design app, a stylesheet or a message.
Why do two apps show different numbers for the same pixel?
They may read it in different color spaces. Digital Color Meter shows the display’s own values unless you choose Display in sRGB; web and design work usually wants sRGB.
Can I pick a color from any app?
Yes. The color panel’s eyedropper, Digital Color Meter and Pick a Color all read any pixel on the screen, whatever app shows it.