Formatting Issues

How to Find RGB Values for Microsoft Word Highlight Colors

Ayan MasoodAyan Masood Oct 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user wants to identify the exact RGB color values for the preset colors available in the Microsoft Word Text Highlight Color tool.

How to Find RGB Values for Microsoft Word Highlight Colors
Product
Microsoft Word
Device & OS
not provided
Scenario
Matching specific highlight colors used in a Word document to replicate them in other design tools or applications.
Observed behavior
Microsoft Word does not directly display the RGB values or Hex codes for the colors available in the Text Highlight Color menu.
Before you start

Ensure you have your Microsoft Word document open, apply the desired highlight color to a blank space or text, and have your computer's built-in screenshot tool ready.

Solution 1Recommended

Extract the RGB Value Using a Screenshot and an Online Color Picker

Since Word does not natively show the RGB codes for highlight colors, capturing a sample image of the color and scanning it with a web-based color picker is the most accurate workaround.

This method involves taking a clean screenshot of the color from your document and uploading it to a third-party image color picker to extract the exact RGB and Hex values.

1
Create a clean color sample

In your Word document, press the Spacebar a few times and apply the Text Highlight Color you want to identify. This creates a solid block of color without any text interfering.

2
Take a targeted screenshot

Use your system's snipping tool (Windows Key + Shift + S on Windows, or Cmd + Shift + 4 on Mac) to capture only the highlighted area. Save this image to your desktop.

3
Navigate to an online color picker

Open your web browser and go to a free image color-picker website, such as ginifab.com or imagecolorpicker.com.

4
Upload and extract the RGB value

Upload your saved screenshot to the website. Click directly on the colored area within the uploaded image to reveal the exact RGB values and Hex code.

Extract the RGB Value Using a Screenshot and an Online Color Picker
Disable screen filters: Make sure your computer's Night Light, True Tone, or blue light filters are turned off before taking the screenshot, as these settings can slightly alter the captured RGB values.
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  1. 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite for your Windows, Mac, or Linux device.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I check RGB values using Word's Font Color menu instead?

Yes, but only for font colors and page backgrounds. If you apply a custom color using those menus, you can click 'More Colors' and go to the 'Custom' tab to see the RGB values. Unfortunately, this does not apply to the preset Text Highlight Color tool.

What is the RGB value for the standard yellow highlight in Word?

The standard bright yellow text highlight color in Microsoft Word typically corresponds to the RGB value of 255, 255, 0 (Hex: #FFFF00).

Is it possible to add custom highlight colors in Microsoft Word?

No, Microsoft Word has a fixed palette of 15 preset colors for the Text Highlight tool. If you need a specific custom RGB color behind your text, you should select the text and use the 'Shading' tool (the paint bucket icon) found in the Paragraph group instead.