A method of converting an input color codeword from a first color format to a second color format comprises providing a reference format having reference bit positions and comparing the first bit positions associated with the first color format to the reference bit positions. Second bit positions associated with the second color format are compared to the reference bit positions. The relative bit position shifts based on the compared first bit positions and the compared second bit positions are determined. Format conversion bit masks are then generated based on the first and second color formats and the determined relative bit position shifts. The input color codeword is converted to the second color format based on the format conversion bit masks and the relative bit position shifts.