Color blind test

The test shows 8 plates made of colored dots of different sizes. In each plate, dots of one color form a number, surrounded by dots of another color. The colors are chosen so that people with typical color vision see the number easily, while for people with red-green color vision deficiency the two colors look almost the same.

• Plate 1 is a control plate that everyone with normal vision and a working screen should read. If it is missed, the result can't be scored.
• The other seven plates use color pairs aimed at red-green deficiency in general, and at the protan (red-weak) and deutan (green-weak) types.

The plates follow the same principle as the well-known Ishihara plates but are our own computer-generated designs, with random numbers each time. The dot brightness varies randomly so you can't spot the number by lightness alone.

Result	What it suggests
All red-green plates correct	No sign of red-green color blindness in this test
One red-green plate missed	Borderline; could be a typo or your screen. Repeat, ideally on another device
Several red-green plates missed	May indicate red-green color blindness; consider a professional exam
Control plate missed	Not scorable; check your screen and lighting

The details panel lists every plate, its type, the correct number and what you entered.

Color vision deficiency means some colors look more similar than they do to most people. The most common form is red-green color blindness, which is usually inherited and present from birth. According to the U.S. National Eye Institute, it is far more common in men than in women: about 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of color vision deficiency.

The two main red-green types are protan (reduced sensitivity to red light) and deutan (reduced sensitivity to green light). Blue-yellow color blindness (tritan) is much rarer and is not what this test is designed to detect. Most people with color vision deficiency see plenty of colors; they just confuse certain shades.

Real color vision tests use printed plates under standardized lighting, or special instruments. On a screen, the result depends on your display's color calibration, brightness, viewing angle and the room light. Night Shift, Night Light, "true tone" style adjustments, color filters and dark-mode extensions can all distort the plates. Turn them off before you start.

This tool is an informational screening game, not a medical diagnosis. If you suspect a color vision deficiency, or if your color vision changes suddenly, see an optometrist or ophthalmologist. A sudden change can signal an eye or health problem and should be checked.

Many everyday tasks can be adapted: label clothes, use apps that name colors through the phone camera, choose color-blind-friendly themes in games, and turn on color filters in your phone's accessibility settings. Some careers, such as commercial pilot or electrician, may require specific color vision standards; check the requirements early.

Designers can make charts and interfaces easier for everyone by not relying on red versus green alone: add labels, patterns or icons, and check contrast. The color picker can help you find exact color values.