How to take the color blindness test
- Set your screen brightness to medium or high, turn off night mode and blue light filters, and take off any tinted glasses.
- Press Start color blindness test. Look at the first plate for a few seconds without zooming in.
- Type the two-digit number you see, or press I can't see a number if the plate looks like random dots.
- Work through all eight plates. There is no time limit, and every plate is redrawn each time you take the test.
- Read your screening result for red-green and blue-yellow vision, and see an eye care professional for a proper diagnosis if anything looks off.
How to read your result
- Control plate: a high-contrast plate that everyone should read. If you miss it, check your screen settings and retake the test before trusting anything else.
- Red-green plates: four plates. All four correct is a clear result, three is borderline, and two or fewer suggests red-green difficulty.
- Blue-yellow plates: two plates. Both correct is a clear result, one is borderline, and none suggests blue-yellow difficulty.
- The blank plate: one plate has no number at all. Typing a number there is a sign you were guessing, so the result may not be reliable.
- Borderline: retake the test on a second screen or in different lighting before drawing a conclusion.
Types of color vision deficiency
Most people with color blindness can see color, but some shades are hard to tell apart. Red-green types are by far the most common, and they affect men far more often than women.
| Type | How common | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Deuteranomaly | About 5% of men | Weak green sensitivity. Greens look more like reds and browns. The most common type. |
| Protanomaly | About 1% of men | Weak red sensitivity. Reds look darker and duller and are mixed up with greens. |
| Protanopia and deuteranopia | About 1% of men each | No red or no green sensitivity. Reds, greens, browns and oranges are hard to separate. |
| Tritan types | Very rare | Blues and greens, or yellows and pinks, are hard to tell apart. |
| Achromatopsia | Very rare | Little or no color vision. Usually comes with light sensitivity. |
What this test cannot do
Every screen shows color a little differently, and brightness, color profiles, night mode and room light all shift what the dots look like. The plates here are original designs made for this site, and they screen for difficulty rather than measure it. The test cannot separate protan from deutan types, cannot grade how strong a deficiency is, and may miss a mild one. A clinical test given by an optometrist or eye doctor is the way to get a diagnosis.
What to do with your result
- Clear result: nothing to do. If you still notice trouble with colors in daily life, ask for a clinical test.
- Borderline or likely difficulty: book a color vision test with an optometrist, especially if you work with color or are considering a job that checks color vision.
- Designing or building for color-blind users: never rely on color alone, and check text and background pairs with the Color Contrast Checker.
- Screen looks wrong in general: run the Monitor Test and the Dead Pixel Test to rule out a display fault.
Who this is for
- Anyone who is curiousFind out in two minutes whether you might confuse certain colors.
- Parents and teachersSpot a possible color vision difficulty early, before it affects schoolwork.
- Designers and developersUnderstand what a large group of users may not see in your interface.
- People choosing a careerGet a first hint before a job that tests color vision, such as aviation, electrical work or the armed forces.
- Anyone who mixes up colorsCheck whether traffic lights, charts or clothing mix-ups have a reason behind them.
- Screen buyers and calibratorsCompare how a plate looks on two displays and spot strong color shifts.
Frequently asked questions
Is this a medical diagnosis?
No. It is a screening test. It can show that you may have trouble telling certain colors apart, but only an eye care professional can diagnose color vision deficiency and tell you which type you have and how strong it is.
How accurate is an online color blindness test?
It is a useful first check, not a precise measurement. The test has eight plates, and your screen brightness, color settings, night mode and room lighting all change what you see. Retake it on a second screen if the first result surprises you.
Why do the plates look different each time I take the test?
The dots, the layout and the numbers are generated fresh for every run. That stops you from memorizing answers and makes a retake a real second check rather than a repeat.
What should I do if I cannot see a number on some plates?
Press I can't see a number and carry on. Being unable to read some plates is the point of the test. If several red-green or blue-yellow plates look blank, book a color vision test with an optometrist or eye doctor to find out what is going on.
Does the test tell me if I am protan, deutan or tritan?
No. It separates red-green difficulty from blue-yellow difficulty, but it cannot tell protan from deutan or measure how strong the deficiency is. A clinical test, such as an anomaloscope or the Farnsworth D-15, is needed for that.
Does wearing glasses or tinted lenses change the result?
Normal prescription glasses and contact lenses are fine. Tinted lenses, blue light glasses and color-correcting glasses change the colors reaching your eyes, so take them off for the test.
Can I take the test on a phone or tablet?
Yes. Turn the brightness up to medium or high, switch off night mode, True Tone and similar color filters, and hold the device at a normal reading distance. Use the same device if you want to compare results.
Is color blindness curable?
Inherited color vision deficiency has no cure. Many people manage well with color-safe palettes, labels and apps that name colors. Some special lenses and filters help certain people tell colors apart, but they do not restore typical color vision.
Does this page store my answers?
No. Your answers stay in your browser while you take the test. Nothing is saved, and nothing is sent to a server.