Color Blind Test

Q: How accurate is this color blind test?

Our online Ishihara test provides a reliable screening for red-green color blindness with approximately 95% accuracy when taken under proper lighting conditions. However, for a definitive diagnosis, we recommend consulting an eye care professional who can perform comprehensive color vision assessments.

Q: How do I know if I'm color blind?

Common signs include difficulty distinguishing red from green, trouble identifying ripe vs unripe fruit, confusion with traffic lights, or frequently being told you've misidentified colors. Our free test can help confirm if you have color vision deficiency in just a few minutes.

Q: Is color blindness hereditary?

Yes, most color blindness is genetic and passed from parents to children through the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, they're more likely to be affected (8% of men vs 0.5% of women). However, color blindness can also be acquired later in life due to eye diseases, aging, or certain medications.

Q: Can color blind people drive?

Yes, most color blind individuals can safely drive. While distinguishing traffic light colors may require extra attention, people with color blindness learn to rely on the position of lights (red on top, green on bottom) and brightness differences. Only severe cases of complete color blindness (achromatopsia) may face restrictions.

Q: What jobs are affected by color blindness?

Some careers require normal color vision, including airline pilots, electricians (wire color coding), certain military roles, and some graphic design positions. However, many color blind individuals successfully work in these fields with accommodations, and most careers have no color vision requirements.

Q: Are there treatments for color blindness?

While inherited color blindness cannot be cured, special color-correcting glasses and contact lenses (like EnChroma or Pilestone) can enhance color perception for some types. Gene therapy research shows promise for future treatments. For acquired color blindness, treating the underlying condition may restore normal vision.

Check your color vision in minutes with our free online test. Accurate results for red-green, blue-yellow, and all types of color blindness.

Ishihara Color Blind Test

This test uses Ishihara plates to screen for red-green color blindness. You'll be shown colored dot patterns with hidden numbers.

•Look at each image and identify the number you see
•Type the number and press Enter or click Submit
•If you can't see a number, click Skip

Other Color Vision Tests

Red-Green Color Blind Test

Detect Protanopia (red blindness) and Deuteranopia (green blindness) with this specialized test.

Take Test

Blue-Yellow Color Blind Test

Screen for Tritanopia and Tritanomaly with our blue-yellow color vision assessment.

Take Test

Full Ishihara Test

Take the complete 38-plate Ishihara test for a comprehensive color vision evaluation.

Take Test

Color Blindness by the Numbers

Over 300 million people worldwide live with color vision deficiency

1 in 12

Men Affected

~8% of males worldwide

1 in 200

Women Affected

~0.5% of females worldwide

99%

Red-Green CVD

Most common type

<1%

Blue-Yellow CVD

Rare, often acquired

See the World Through Different Eyes

Experience how colors appear to people with different types of color blindness

Red-Orange-Yellow

Green-Teal

Blue-Purple

Pink-Rose-Red

🍏

🍎

🍋

This is how people with normal color vision see the world.

Understanding Color Blindness

Color blindness, clinically known as color vision deficiency (CVD), affects how your eyes perceive different wavelengths of light. Rather than seeing no color at all, most people with CVD experience a reduced ability to distinguish between certain color combinations.

Your eyes contain specialized cells called cones, which detect red, green, and blue light. When one or more cone types function differently, colors can appear muted, similar to each other, or entirely different from how others see them.

How Color Vision Works

L-Cones (Red)

Sensitive to long wavelengths (560nm)

M-Cones (Green)

Sensitive to medium wavelengths (530nm)

S-Cones (Blue)

Sensitive to short wavelengths (420nm)

When any of these cone types are missing or abnormal, it results in different types of color blindness.

Types of Color Blindness

Each type affects how specific colors are perceived. The color bars show which colors get confused.

Red-Blind~1% of males

These colors appear similar

Protanopia

Complete absence of red cones. Reds appear dark and muddy, often confused with black. Red traffic lights may appear dim.

Green-Blind~6% of males

These colors blend together

Deuteranopia

Most common form. Missing green cones cause greens, yellows, and reds to look similar. Ripe and unripe fruits look identical.

Blue-Blind<0.01%

Blues and greens confused

Tritanopia

Rare blue-yellow blindness. Blues appear greenish, yellows look pink. Often acquired from disease rather than inherited.

Red-Weak~1% of males

Milder form, colors shifted

Protanomaly

Weakened red perception. Reds, oranges, and yellows appear shifted toward green. Less severe than Protanopia.

Green-Weak~5% of males

Most common, often unnoticed

Deuteranomaly

Most prevalent form overall. Reduced green sensitivity. Many don't realize they have it since shifts are subtle.

Monochromat1 in 30,000

Only sees grayscale

Achromatopsia

Complete color blindness—seeing only shades of gray. Extremely rare. Often includes light sensitivity and reduced vision.

What Causes Color Blindness?

Color vision deficiency can be inherited or acquired through various factors

🧬

Genetic Inheritance

Most color blindness is inherited through the X chromosome. Men (XY) need only one copy of the gene, while women (XX) need two copies to be affected.

8% of males

0.5% of females

⏳

Age-Related Changes

Color perception naturally diminishes with age as lens transparency decreases and cone cells degrade. By age 60, many notice subtle shifts in blues and yellows.

Gradual progression over time

🏥

Medical Conditions

Certain diseases can cause acquired color blindness, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and multiple sclerosis.

DiabetesGlaucomaMSParkinson's

💊

Medications & Chemicals

Some medications list color vision changes as side effects. Industrial chemical exposure can also affect color perception.

DigoxinEthambutolSolvents

How This Test Works

Our test uses the Ishihara method, developed by Dr. Shinobu Ishihara in 1917 and still considered the gold standard for screening red-green color blindness.

View the Plate

Look at the colored dot pattern displayed on screen

Identify the Number

Type what you see—don't overthink, trust your first impression

Get Your Results

Receive instant feedback on your color vision after 8 plates

For Best Results

Use a well-lit room with natural or white light
Set comfortable screen brightness—not too dim or bright
Disable blue light filters or night mode temporarily
View at arm's length (2-3 feet away)
Keep your glasses or contacts on if you normally wear them

Understanding Your Score

7-8

Normal

5-6

Mild CVD

3-4

Moderate

0-2

Strong

Living with Color Blindness

Color blindness doesn't have to limit your daily life. Many successful professionals thrive with CVD.

🏠

Daily Life

Label clothes with color names
Learn traffic light positions
Use color identification apps
Organize by outfit instead of color

📱

Technology Aids

EnChroma or Pilestone glasses
iOS/Android color filters
Browser accessibility extensions
High-contrast display modes

💼

At Work

Request accessible color schemes
Use patterns alongside colors
Advocate for inclusive design
Use color-labeling tools

Frequently Asked Questions

Our online Ishihara test provides a reliable screening for red-green color blindness with approximately 95% accuracy when taken under proper lighting conditions. However, for a definitive diagnosis, we recommend consulting an eye care professional who can perform comprehensive color vision assessments.

Common signs include difficulty distinguishing red from green, trouble identifying ripe vs unripe fruit, confusion with traffic lights, or frequently being told you've misidentified colors. Our free test can help confirm if you have color vision deficiency in just a few minutes.

Yes, most color blindness is genetic and passed from parents to children through the X chromosome. Since males have only one X chromosome, they're more likely to be affected (8% of men vs 0.5% of women). However, color blindness can also be acquired later in life due to eye diseases, aging, or certain medications.

Yes, most color blind individuals can safely drive. While distinguishing traffic light colors may require extra attention, people with color blindness learn to rely on the position of lights (red on top, green on bottom) and brightness differences. Only severe cases of complete color blindness (achromatopsia) may face restrictions.

Some careers require normal color vision, including airline pilots, electricians (wire color coding), certain military roles, and some graphic design positions. However, many color blind individuals successfully work in these fields with accommodations, and most careers have no color vision requirements.

While inherited color blindness cannot be cured, special color-correcting glasses and contact lenses (like EnChroma or Pilestone) can enhance color perception for some types. Gene therapy research shows promise for future treatments. For acquired color blindness, treating the underlying condition may restore normal vision.

Ready to Test Your Color Vision?

Our free Ishihara test takes just 2-3 minutes and gives you instant results. Scroll up to start!