Inspired by Ishihara plates - look at each image and identify the number hidden in the colored dots. Tests red-green and blue-yellow color vision deficiencies.
What number do you see?
Color blindness affects about 8% of men and 0.5% of women worldwide. The most common form is red-green color blindness (deuteranopia/protanopia), where red and green hues appear similar. The Ishihara test was designed in 1917 by Dr. Shinobu Ishihara of the University of Tokyo. Color vision accuracy is a practical human benchmark with real-world implications for design and safety.
Also try the Color Perception Test to see how well you can discriminate fine hue differences.
Color vision accuracy is a practical human benchmark with real implications โ designers, pilots, and electricians all benefit from knowing their color discrimination ability.
"Color blindness" is a misnomer - almost no one with color vision deficiency is truly blind to color. The condition more accurately called color vision deficiency (CVD) affects approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women worldwide. The most common forms are deuteranopia (reduced sensitivity to green wavelengths) and protanopia (reduced sensitivity to red wavelengths) - together accounting for over 95% of CVD cases. Both are X-linked recessive conditions, explaining the dramatic sex difference in prevalence.
Our test uses Ishihara-inspired dot plates: numbers embedded in fields of colored dots that are visible to normal-color-vision viewers but difficult or invisible to people with specific deficiencies. The original Ishihara test - developed by Japanese ophthalmologist Shinobu Ishihara in 1917 - remains the most widely used screening tool for red-green CVD, used in aviation, military service, and driving license assessments worldwide. Our digital version is a screening approximation and cannot replace clinical diagnosis.
If this screening suggests a deficiency, consult an optometrist for a full clinical assessment. For a related test of fine color discrimination without deficiency screening, try our Color Perception Test.
No, inherited color vision deficiency cannot be cured since it stems from missing or altered cone cells in the retina. Special glasses and apps can help some people distinguish colors better, but they do not restore normal color vision.
The genes for red and green cone cells sit on the X chromosome. Men have only one X chromosome, so a single faulty gene copy causes deficiency, while women need two faulty copies, making it far rarer in women.
No. This is a screening approximation using Ishihara-inspired plates displayed on your screen, and monitor calibration affects results. A clinical diagnosis from an optometrist using a proper Ishihara book is required for certainty.
The most common types are red-green color blindness (deuteranomaly and protanomaly), which affect the ability to distinguish reds and greens, while blue-yellow color blindness is much rarer.
No, this screening gives a general indication but should not replace a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist or ophthalmologist for an official diagnosis.
Yes, monitor brightness, contrast, and color calibration can all affect how the test patterns appear, so results may vary slightly across different devices and displays.
No, true total color blindness (achromatopsia) is extremely rare - most color blindness involves difficulty distinguishing specific color pairs rather than seeing no color at all.
Most color blindness is genetic and present from birth, but certain eye diseases, medications, or aging can occasionally cause acquired color vision changes later in life.
Some specialized glasses can enhance color contrast for certain types of color blindness, helping some users better distinguish colors, though they don't cure the underlying condition.
Aviation, military service, electrical work, and certain driving licenses often require a passing color vision screening, since misreading colored signals or wiring can create safety risks.