Color Blind Test
Ishihara color vision test
The Color Blind Test uses Ishihara-style plates — circles filled with colored dots that contain hidden numbers or patterns visible only to people with normal color vision. It screens for the most common forms of color vision deficiency: red-green color blindness, which affects 8% of males and 0.5% of females.
How to Use
- 1Look at each colored circle plate carefully
- 2Type or select the number you see hidden in the dots
- 3If you cannot see a number, select "I cannot see a number"
- 4Your result indicates normal color vision or a possible color vision deficiency
Not All Color Blindness Is the Same
Color vision deficiency comes in distinct types, depending on which of the eye's three cone cell types is altered or missing:
| Type | What It Affects | How Common |
|---|---|---|
| Deuteranomaly | Green perception shifted | Most common, about 5% of men |
| Protanomaly / Protanopia | Red perception weak or absent | About 1-2% of men |
| Deuteranopia | Green cones absent | About 1% of men |
| Tritanopia | Blue-yellow confusion | Rare, under 0.01% |
| Monochromacy | No color at all | Extremely rare |
For deeper dives, see our guides to the red-green color blind test and color blind testing for kids.
When a Screening Result Actually Matters
Plenty of people discover a mild deficiency here and shrug, because daily life adapts easily. But some careers screen for color vision formally: commercial pilots, electricians working with color-coded wiring, train operators, and certain military roles all have requirements. If you are heading toward one of those fields and missed plates on this test, get a clinical exam early so you know your options. Our article on color blind tests for military and pilots covers exactly what each path requires.
What is a Good Score?
Correctly identifying all plates indicates normal color vision. Missing several red-green plates suggests red-green color deficiency. This test is a screening tool — see an optometrist for clinical diagnosis.
Tips to Improve
- →Take the test in good natural or neutral white lighting — colored light sources skew the results
- →Do not squint or strain — if you cannot see the number in 5 seconds, you likely have a deficiency for that plate
- →View the screen at normal distance (50–75cm) and avoid tilting
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this color blind test?
This test uses the Ishihara format which is the most widely used screening method for color vision deficiency. It gives a reliable indication of red-green color blindness. For a confirmed clinical diagnosis, consult an optometrist or ophthalmologist.
What percentage of people are color blind?
Approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females have some form of color vision deficiency. Red-green color blindness is the most common form, affecting about 1 in 12 men.
Can color blindness be treated?
There is no cure for inherited color blindness, but special glasses and contact lenses (like EnChroma) enhance color contrast for some types. Gene therapy is being researched for certain forms.
What are the types of color blindness?
The most common type is red-green color blindness affecting 8% of men and 0.5% of women. Blue-yellow color blindness (tritanopia) is rarer. Complete color blindness (monochromacy) is extremely rare. Most color blind people see some color but struggle to distinguish specific pairs.
Is color blindness hereditary?
Yes. Red-green color blindness is an X-linked recessive trait, which is why it affects men far more often than women. Women can carry the gene without being affected and pass it to sons.
Eight percent of men go years without knowing. Check the plates above, it takes two minutes.
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