You will see 12 plates made of colored dots, from easy to difficult. Pick the number you see on each plate, or choose Nothing if you can’t see one. It takes about two minutes.
For best results, use a bright screen, turn off night mode or color filters, and view the plates at normal size.
Which number do you see?
This is a quick screening, not a medical diagnosis. If you have concerns about your color vision, please see an eye care professional.
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What Is a Color Blind Test?
A color blind test checks how well you can tell certain colors apart. It shows you a circle made of many colored dots. Some dots form a number. You pick the number you see.
People with normal color vision see the number easily. People with a color vision deficiency may see a different number or no number at all.
This free online test takes about two minutes. You don’t need to sign up.
How This Color Blind Test Works
The test has 12 plates. Each plate hides one number from 1 to 9.
- Plate 1 is a practice plate. Everyone should be able to read it. It is not scored.
- Plates 2 to 8 are standard plates. They use colors that people with red-green color blindness often confuse.
- Plates 9 to 12 are hard plates. They use low-contrast colors, so they can be tricky even for some people with normal vision.
Pick a number for each plate. If you can’t see any number, choose Nothing.
At the end, you get a score out of 11. The practice plate doesn’t count. You also see which plates you got right and which you missed.
The numbers and dot patterns change each time. You can take the test again and get a new set of plates.
How to Get the Most Reliable Result
Your screen and room can change what you see. Follow these steps before you start:
- Turn up your screen brightness. A dim screen makes colors look flat.
- Turn off night mode and blue light filters. They shift colors on purpose.
- Turn off any color filters or accessibility color settings on your device.
- Sit in a well-lit room. Avoid strong glare on the screen.
- Wear your usual glasses or contact lenses.
- Go with your first impression. If you stare for too long, you may start guessing.
Taking the test on a phone is fine. A larger screen can make the plates easier to see, but it won’t change the result.
What Your Score Means
Your result is a screening result. It is not a diagnosis.
| Score (out of 11) | What it suggests |
|---|---|
| 10–11 | Your color vision looks normal |
| 8–9 | Mostly normal. You may have missed a few hard plates |
| 5–7 | You may have a mild color vision difference |
| 0–4 | You may have red-green color blindness |
A few things to keep in mind:
- Missing one or two hard plates is not unusual.
- A mild deficiency can sometimes pass an online test.
- This test does not tell you which type of color blindness you have.
If your score is low, or if you are worried about your color vision, see an eye care professional. They can run a full exam.
What Is Color Blindness?
Color blindness is the common name for color vision deficiency. It means you see some colors differently from most people. It does not mean you see the world in black and white. That is very rare.
Your retina has cells called cones. There are three kinds. Each one responds to a different range of light, roughly red, green, and blue. Your brain combines their signals to make the colors you see.
If one kind of cone is missing, weak, or shifted, some colors look alike. Red and green are the most common mix-up.
Types of Color Blindness
Red-Green Color Blindness
This is the most common type. It makes reds, greens, browns, and oranges harder to tell apart. It has two main forms:
- Protan: The red-sensitive cones are weak or missing. Reds can look darker and less bright.
- Deutan: The green-sensitive cones are weak or missing. Greens can look more like reds or browns.
Each form can be mild or strong. Mild forms are called “anomaly” (for example, deuteranomaly). Strong forms are called “anopia” (for example, deuteranopia). Deuteranomaly is the most common form of all.
Blue-Yellow Color Blindness
This type is much rarer. It makes blues and greens look alike, and yellows and pinks harder to tell apart. It is called tritan color blindness.
Complete Color Blindness
Also called achromatopsia, this is very rare. People may see little or no color. It often comes with other vision problems, such as sensitivity to bright light.
How Common Is Color Blindness?
Red-green color blindness affects about 1 in 12 men (8%) of Northern European descent. For women of the same background, it is about 1 in 200 (0.5%).
Rates are lower in some other groups. The numbers also vary between studies.
Why Men Are Affected More Often
The genes for red and green cones sit on the X chromosome. Men have one X chromosome. If that gene has a fault, there is no second copy to help.
Women have two X chromosomes. A working copy on the other one usually covers for the fault. Women can still carry the gene and pass it to their children.
What Causes Color Blindness?
Most cases are inherited. People are born with it. It usually stays the same through life.
Color vision can also change later in life. Possible causes include:
- Eye diseases, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts
- Diabetes
- Multiple sclerosis
- Some medicines
- Exposure to certain chemicals
- Eye injury
- Normal aging
If your color vision changes suddenly, see an eye doctor soon. It can be a sign of a health problem.
How Doctors Test for Color Blindness
An eye care professional can use more precise tests than an online test.
Ishihara Plate Test
This is the type of test your screen shows here. Dr. Shinobu Ishihara, from Japan, published the original plates in 1917. They are still widely used to screen for red-green color blindness.
Farnsworth-Munsell 100 Hue Test
You arrange colored caps in order of hue. It shows how well you can tell small color differences apart.
Anomaloscope
You match two lights by adjusting the controls. This helps find the type and how strong the deficiency is.
Can Color Blindness Be Cured?
There is no cure for inherited color blindness. But many people manage well.
- Some people use special tinted glasses or contact lenses. They may help certain people tell some colors apart. Results vary, and they do not give normal color vision.
- Phone and computer settings can change colors to be easier to tell apart.
- If a disease or medicine causes the problem, treating the cause may help.
An eye care professional can tell you what may suit you.
Everyday Tips for People With Color Blindness
- Look for labels and patterns, not only colors, on clothes, charts, and maps.
- Ask someone to help match clothes if you are unsure.
- Use accessibility settings on your phone and computer.
- Check the position of traffic lights. Red is usually at the top, or on the left for horizontal signals.
- Tell teachers and employers. Many materials can be changed to help.
Some jobs, such as pilot, electrician, and some roles in transport and the armed forces, may require color vision testing. Check the rules for the job you want.
Color Blind Test for Kids
Children can take this test once they know the numbers 1 to 9. Sit with them, and make sure the screen settings are right.
For younger children, ask an eye doctor about a test made for them. Color vision problems can affect learning, because many school materials use color to share information. Early testing can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this color blind test accurate?
It is a good first check for red-green color problems. It is not a medical test. Screen settings, lighting, and your device can all change the result.
Can I be color blind and still pass?
Yes. A mild deficiency may not show up on an online test. A full exam with an eye care professional is more reliable.
Can I fail even if my color vision is normal?
It can happen, especially on the hard plates. A dim screen, a color filter, or a rushed answer can also cause mistakes. Fix your settings and try again.
Will the plates be the same if I retake the test?
No. The numbers and dot patterns are created fresh each time.
Does this test show which type of color blindness I have?
No. Only an eye care professional can find your exact type.
Does color blindness get worse over time?
Inherited color blindness usually stays the same. Color vision changes that start later can have other causes, so see an eye doctor.
Should I see a doctor if my score is low?
Yes, if you want a clear answer, or if you notice your color vision changing. An eye exam is the only way to be sure.
Medical Disclaimer
This tool is for general information and screening only. It does not diagnose, treat, or prevent any condition. For concerns about your vision, talk to a qualified eye care professional.