Most common color blindness test

Red-Green Colorblind Test

This red-green colorblind test focuses on the most common color vision deficiency axis. It uses Ishihara-style plates to screen for protanopia, protanomaly, deuteranopia, and deuteranomaly.

Quick Answer

A red-green colorblind test checks whether reds, greens, oranges, and related colors are being confused. Missing several Ishihara-style plates can suggest a protan or deutan color vision deficiency, but a clinical test is needed for exact classification.

At a Glance

  • Screens the most common color blindness family
  • Uses Ishihara-style number plates
  • Takes about 2 to 3 minutes
  • Gives instant screening results

Before you start

  1. 1Turn off color filters, night mode, and unusual display profiles if possible.
  2. 2Use a normal viewing distance and avoid glare on the screen.
  3. 3Enter the number you see, or choose that you do not see anything.
  4. 4Use the blue-yellow test separately if you want a broader screening.

Take the Red-Green Colorblind Test

Answer each Ishihara-style plate below. This focused test checks the red-green confusion axis only.

Before you begin

Set up your screen and lighting

Display conditions can materially change an online color vision result. Take a moment to check these items before starting.

  • Use a color screen at its normal brightness, viewed straight on.
  • Turn off Night Shift, blue-light filters, grayscale, and color filters.
  • Use neutral room lighting and avoid glare on the display.
  • Wear your usual prescription glasses or contacts, if applicable.
  • Use your first impression and answer each plate within about 5 seconds.
The first plate is an unscored demonstration. It confirms that the plate is visible before the 9 screening plates begin.

How to Interpret Results

Online color vision results are most useful when you look at the pattern, not just a single answer.

Most plates correct

Suggests typical red-green discrimination on this screening.

Several plates missed

May suggest a red-green color vision deficiency such as protan or deutan deficiency.

Mixed or uncertain answers

Retake under better conditions or use a professional test for a clearer answer.

What red-green colorblindness includes

Red-green colorblindness includes protanopia and protanomaly, which affect red-sensitive cone signals, plus deuteranopia and deuteranomaly, which affect green-sensitive cone signals. These conditions are inherited most often and are much more common in men than women.

Why Ishihara-style plates are used

Ishihara-style plates use dots of different hues and similar brightness to hide a number. People with normal red-green discrimination can usually read the number. People with red-green deficiency may see a different number or no number at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this tell me whether I have protanopia or deuteranopia?

Not definitively. Ishihara-style plates can flag red-green deficiency, but an anomaloscope or professional color vision test is needed to classify the exact subtype.

Does a red-green test also check blue-yellow color blindness?

No. Red-green plates do not screen for tritanopia or tritanomaly. Use the blue-yellow test or the full combined test for broader screening.

Why is red-green colorblindness so common?

The genes for red and green cone opsins are on the X chromosome, so inherited red-green color vision deficiency is much more common in males.