Design Tools
Color Blindness Simulator
Simulate how colors appear with different types of color blindness. Test designs for colorblind accessibility.
Use Color Blindness Simulator to get instant results without uploads or sign-ups. Everything runs securely in your browser for fast, reliable output.
Your results will appear here.
About this tool
Color blindness affects 8% of men and 0.5% of women. Our Color Blindness Simulator shows how colors appear to people with different types of color vision deficiency.
Test your designs to ensure information isn't conveyed by color alone. Use patterns, labels, and shapes in addition to color for inclusive design.
Usage examples
Red-Green Blindness
Most common type
Red (#FF0000) appears brownish/muddy in deuteranopia
Blue-Yellow Blindness
Rare type
Blue (#0000FF) and yellow (#FFFF00) are confused in tritanopia
How to use
- Enter a "HEX Color" to test.
- Select "Color Blindness Type".
- Click "Simulate" to see adjusted color.
- Test your designs for accessibility.
Benefits
- Test for color blindness
- Multiple CVD types
- Inclusive design
- Accessibility testing
- Design validation
- Color confusion detection
FAQs
What types of color blindness exist?
Main types: Protanopia (no red cones, 1% of men), Deuteranopia (no green cones, most common, 1% of men), Tritanopia (no blue cones, rare, 0.001%), Protanomaly/Deuteranomaly (weak red/green, 6% of men), Achromatopsia (complete color blindness, very rare).
How do I design for color blindness?
Design tips: don't rely on color alone (add icons, labels, patterns), use high contrast, avoid red-green combinations, use colorblind-friendly palettes, test with simulators, add texture/shape differences, underline links, and use colorblind-safe palettes (viridis, ColorBrewer).
What color combinations should I avoid?
Avoid for colorblind users: red/green (most confusing), light green/yellow, blue/purple, light blue/pink, red/brown, green/brown. Safe combinations: blue/orange, blue/yellow, black/white. Check with simulator before finalizing design.
Can colorblind people see any colors?
Most "colorblind" people see colors, just differently. Red-green colorblind can still see blue, yellow, black, white. They confuse similar shades of red/green/brown. Complete color blindness (achromatopsia) is extremely rare. "Color vision deficiency" is more accurate than "colorblind".
How do I test my website for color blindness?
Testing tools: Chrome/Firefox colorblind extensions, Coblis (online simulator), Photoshop/Illustrator colorblind proof settings, Stark plugin (Figma/Sketch), or use this calculator. Test all UI states (default, hover, disabled, error).
What are colorblind-friendly color palettes?
Colorblind-safe palettes: Blue-Orange (most accessible), Blue-Yellow-Gray, Viridis (scientific visualization), ColorBrewer (cartography), IBM Carbon (design system). Avoid: Rainbow (red-green issues), traffic light indicators (red-yellow-green). Always supplement with text/icons.
Should I design specifically for colorblind users?
Design for everyone! Use patterns, labels, and icons alongside color. Ensure sufficient contrast (4.5:1 minimum). Test designs with colorblind simulators. Benefits all users, not just colorblind. Universal design principles make products better for everyone, including people with temporary vision issues or viewing in bright sunlight.
Can colorblindness be cured or corrected?
Currently no cure exists for inherited color blindness (genetic). EnChroma glasses may help some people see colors better but don't "cure" CVD. Acquired color blindness (from injury/disease) may improve with treatment. Best approach: design accessible interfaces that don't rely solely on color perception.
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