How to Find RGB Values for Microsoft Word Highlight Colors
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.

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

Experience Seamless Document Formatting with WPS Office
While extracting specific RGB values from Microsoft Word requires workarounds, you can enjoy a streamlined and highly compatible document editing experience by switching to WPS Office. It provides robust formatting tools and a familiar interface entirely for free.
- 1. Download the software: Visit the official WPS Office website to download the free suite for your Windows, Mac, or Linux device.
- 2. Open your existing documents: Launch WPS Writer and open your .docx files. Your text highlights and formatting will remain perfectly intact.
- 3. Edit and format with ease: Utilize the comprehensive formatting toolbar to continue working on your documents effortlessly.

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.




