How to convert rgba to a transparency-adjusted-hex?

Question

I\'m wondering how to convert rgba into hex in a way that translates the visible rgba-color (including transparency) into a hex value.

Say I ha

Answer 1

It depends on the background to which your transparent color will be applied. But if you know the color of the background (e.g. white), you can calculate the RGB color resulting of the RGBA color applied to the specific background.

It's just the weighted average between the color and the background, the weight being the alpha channel (from 0 to 1) :

Color = Color * alpha + Background * (1 - alpha);

For your transparent light blue rgba(0,129,255,.4) against white rgb(255,255,255) :

Red   =   0 * 0.4 + 255 * 0.6 = 153
Green = 129 * 0.4 + 255 * 0.6 = 204.6
Blue  = 255 * 0.4 + 255 * 0.6 = 255

Which gives rgb(153,205,255) or #99CDFF