Ishihara Color Blindness Test
A screening tool to assess your color vision
Important Notice
This is an educational screening test, not a medical diagnosis. For a professional evaluation, please consult an eye care specialist.
How It Works
View Plates
Look at 20 color plates and identify the number you see
Select Answer
Choose from multiple options for each plate
Get Results
Receive your color vision assessment instantly
Instructions
- 1.Ensure you're in a well-lit room with natural lighting if possible
- 2.Hold your device at a comfortable distance (about 75cm / 30 inches)
- 3.You have as much time as you need for each plate
- 4.If you can't see a number, select "Nothing"
- 5.The test takes approximately 3-5 minutes to complete
By starting this test, you acknowledge this is for educational purposes only
Understanding the Ishihara Color Blindness Test
The Ishihara Color Blindness Test is a widely recognized screening method created by Dr. Shinobu Ishihara in 1917 to detect red-green color vision deficiencies. This test uses a series of colored plates, each containing a circle filled with dots of various colors and sizes. Hidden within these dots are numbers or patterns that people with typical color vision can easily identify, while those with certain types of color blindness may see different numbers, patterns, or nothing at all. The clever design of these plates makes the Ishihara test one of the most effective and commonly used tools for identifying color vision issues in both clinical and educational settings.
Red-green color blindness affects approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women, making it the most common form of color vision deficiency. People with this condition have difficulty distinguishing between reds, greens, and related colors, which can impact daily activities from choosing ripe fruit to interpreting traffic lights. The Ishihara Color Blindness Test specifically targets these red-green deficiencies, including protanopia (red blindness), protanomaly (red weakness), deuteranopia (green blindness), and deuteranomaly (green weakness). By presenting carefully calibrated color combinations, the test reveals patterns that become visible or invisible depending on how someone perceives these critical color ranges.
Taking an online Ishihara test provides a convenient way to screen for potential color vision issues from home, helping raise awareness about how you perceive colors compared to others. While this digital version maintains the core principles of the original test, it serves as an educational tool and preliminary screening rather than a medical diagnosis. The results can help you understand whether you might benefit from a comprehensive eye examination with a professional who can provide detailed evaluation and guidance tailored to your specific situation.
Why Use the Ishihara Color Blindness Test
Many people go through life unaware they have a color vision deficiency because they've adapted to seeing the world their own way. The Ishihara test helps identify these differences, bringing awareness to how you perceive colors compared to the majority of the population. This awareness matters not because color blindness is a problem that needs fixing, but because understanding your color vision helps you make informed decisions about careers, hobbies, and daily activities where color distinction plays an important role.
For parents and teachers, the Ishihara Color Blindness Test offers a straightforward method to screen children who might be struggling with color-related tasks in school. A child who can't distinguish the colors used in educational materials, color-coded systems, or art assignments might experience unnecessary frustration without realizing the issue stems from color vision differences. Early awareness allows parents and educators to make simple accommodations that help children succeed, such as using patterns or labels alongside colors, choosing alternative color combinations, or explaining information in ways that don't rely solely on color discrimination.
Designers, artists, and anyone working with color professionally benefit from understanding their own color vision as well as the color vision of their audience. If you create visual content, knowing whether you have a color vision deficiency helps you make informed choices about your color palettes and understand why certain color combinations might work differently than you expect. Similarly, testing helps designers develop empathy for users who perceive colors differently, leading to more inclusive design decisions that communicate effectively regardless of how people see color.
The test also serves students and young adults considering careers where color discrimination is essential. Fields like electrical work (reading color-coded wires), graphic design, piloting, and certain medical specialties require accurate color perception. Taking a color vision test early helps people make informed career choices and seek professional evaluation if needed for specific occupational requirements. Understanding your color vision doesn't limit your options but rather helps you choose paths where you can excel without unnecessary challenges.
How the Ishihara Color Blindness Test Works
The Ishihara test presents you with a series of circular plates, each containing a pattern of colored dots. Within these dots, numbers or shapes are formed using different colors that create contrast for people with typical color vision but may blend together for those with color vision deficiencies. As you progress through the test, you'll be asked to identify what number or pattern you see in each plate. Some plates show numbers that everyone can see regardless of color vision, serving as control plates to verify you're taking the test seriously and understand the format.
Taking this online version of the Ishihara Color Blindness Test follows a straightforward process. First, ensure you're viewing the test in good lighting conditions, preferably natural daylight or bright white light that doesn't cast color tints on your screen. Position yourself at a comfortable viewing distance from your device, typically around 75 centimeters or 30 inches. When you're ready, start the test and look at each plate carefully. For every plate, you'll see multiple choice options showing different possible answers. Select the number or pattern you see most clearly, or choose "Nothing" if you can't identify any number or pattern within the dots.
The test deliberately includes plates that reveal different types of color vision deficiencies. Some plates use red and green combinations that highlight red-green color blindness, the most common form. Others might use blue and yellow combinations, though the standard Ishihara test primarily focuses on red-green deficiencies. As you work through the plates, the test builds a pattern of your responses that indicates whether your color vision matches typical perception or suggests a specific type of color deficiency.
After completing all the plates, you'll receive immediate results showing how many plates you answered correctly compared to expected responses for typical color vision. The results provide insight into whether you might have protanopia, deuteranopia, or related color vision deficiencies. Remember that this online screening serves as an educational tool to raise awareness about your color perception. It's not a substitute for professional diagnosis. If your results suggest a color vision deficiency, or if you have concerns about how you perceive colors, schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist who can conduct comprehensive testing using calibrated equipment and provide professional guidance.
Who Should Use This Test
The Ishihara Color Blindness Test serves a diverse audience interested in understanding color vision for various educational and practical purposes:
- •Students and Young Adults curious about their color perception or considering careers where color discrimination matters can use this test to gain initial awareness of their color vision capabilities.
- •Parents and Teachers who notice children struggling with color-related activities can use this as a preliminary screening to determine whether professional evaluation might be beneficial.
- •Designers and Artists working with color want to understand their own color perception and develop awareness of how their audience might perceive their work differently.
- •Anyone Curious About Color Vision can take this test to learn more about how they perceive colors and whether their vision matches typical color perception patterns.
- •People Experiencing Color Confusion who occasionally struggle to distinguish certain colors can use this test to determine whether these difficulties might stem from a color vision deficiency.
This online Ishihara test provides accessible screening for anyone interested in learning about their color perception, though it's important to remember that results from digital screens may vary from professional testing conducted with standardized printed plates in controlled lighting conditions.
Tips for Using the Test Effectively
Taking the Ishihara Color Blindness Test under optimal conditions helps ensure your results accurately reflect your color vision:
Use Good Lighting
View the test in a well-lit room, preferably with natural daylight. Avoid taking the test in dim lighting, under colored lights, or with strong glare on your screen. Proper lighting ensures you're seeing the colors as accurately as your display can present them, rather than colors distorted by poor viewing conditions.
Ensure Your Screen Quality is Adequate
While this test works on most modern devices, screens with better color accuracy provide more reliable results. If possible, use a computer monitor or high-quality tablet rather than an older phone screen. Adjust your brightness to a comfortable level and disable any color filters or night mode settings that might alter how colors appear.
Take Your Time with Each Plate
There's no need to rush through the test. Look at each plate carefully and choose the answer that matches what you see most clearly. Some plates are designed to be challenging even for people with typical color vision, so don't worry if you find certain plates difficult. Your overall pattern of responses matters more than any single answer.
Avoid Guessing or Asking Others
The test provides the most useful information when you answer based solely on what you see, not what you think should be there or what someone else tells you. If you can't identify a number or pattern in a plate, selecting "Nothing" gives more accurate information about your color vision than guessing randomly.
Understand Results are Indicative, Not Definitive
Online color vision tests like this one provide helpful screening but can't replace professional diagnosis. Screen variations, lighting conditions, and the limitations of digital displays mean your results serve as a general indicator rather than a precise medical assessment. If your results suggest a color vision deficiency, or if you want authoritative confirmation, visit an eye care professional who uses standardized testing equipment.
Consider Testing at Different Times
If you want to verify your results, try taking the test again at a different time of day when lighting conditions change, or on a different device. Consistent results across multiple attempts provide stronger evidence of your actual color perception, while varying results might indicate that environmental factors are affecting how you see the colors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Ishihara Color Blindness Test?
The Ishihara Color Blindness Test is a screening method that uses colored dot patterns to identify red-green color vision deficiencies. Developed by Dr. Shinobu Ishihara in 1917, it remains the most widely used test for detecting common forms of color blindness. Each plate in the test contains dots in various colors and sizes, with numbers or patterns visible to people with typical color vision but difficult or impossible to see for those with certain color vision deficiencies. The test specifically identifies protanopia, deuteranopia, and related red-green color perception issues.
Can anyone take the Ishihara test online?
Yes, anyone curious about their color vision can take this online Ishihara test. It's designed for adolescents and adults who can read numbers and follow simple instructions. Younger children might find it challenging to identify numbers quickly, which is why we also offer a specialized kid-friendly color vision test that uses shapes and simpler patterns. While online versions provide convenient screening, they work best as educational tools rather than definitive diagnostic instruments due to variations in screen quality and viewing conditions.
Is this test accurate for children?
This standard Ishihara test works well for older children who can quickly identify numbers and understand the testing format. For younger children or those still learning numbers, we recommend using our Color Blind Test for Kids, which uses animal shapes, simple patterns, and child-friendly language. Regardless of age, online color vision tests serve as preliminary screening tools rather than medical diagnoses. If test results suggest a child might have a color vision deficiency, consult a pediatric eye care professional for proper evaluation.
Does it detect all types of color blindness?
The Ishihara test primarily detects red-green color vision deficiencies, including protanopia, protanomaly, deuteranopia, and deuteranomaly. These represent the most common types of color blindness, affecting approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women. However, the standard Ishihara test doesn't effectively screen for blue-yellow color blindness (tritanopia and tritanomaly) or complete color blindness (achromatopsia). If you suspect you have a color vision issue that this test doesn't identify, or if you need comprehensive evaluation, visit an eye care professional who can perform complete color vision testing.
Is the test safe and free to use?
Yes, this Ishihara Color Blindness Test is completely free to use with no registration, account creation, or payment required. The test is entirely safe and simply involves looking at colored images and selecting answers based on what you see. It doesn't collect personal health information, doesn't install anything on your device, and operates entirely within your web browser. You can take the test as many times as you like without any restrictions or costs, making it a convenient way to explore your color vision from the comfort of your home.
Important Disclaimer
This Ishihara Color Blindness Test is an educational screening tool designed to raise awareness about color vision differences. It is not a medical diagnostic test and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Online color vision tests are affected by screen quality, display calibration, lighting conditions, and other environmental factors that can influence results. If this test suggests you might have a color vision deficiency, or if you have any concerns about your color perception or eye health, please consult a qualified eye care professional (optometrist or ophthalmologist) for comprehensive evaluation using standardized clinical testing equipment. Only a qualified healthcare professional can provide accurate diagnosis and personalized guidance regarding color vision deficiencies.