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Color Blindness Simulator

Simulate how colors appear under protanopia, deuteranopia, and tritanopia. Side-by-side comparison swatches for accessibility testing.

Normal Vision

#FF6B35
RGB(255, 107, 53)

Protanopia

Red-blind: reduced sensitivity to red light

Prevalence: ~1% of males

vs
#D0CF47
RGB(208, 207, 71)

Deuteranopia

Green-blind: reduced sensitivity to green light

Prevalence: ~1% of males

vs
#D7E04A
RGB(215, 224, 74)

Tritanopia

Blue-blind: reduced sensitivity to blue light

Prevalence: ~0.003% of people

vs
#FA5254
RGB(250, 82, 84)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Original
Protanopia
Deuteranopia
Tritanopia
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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of color blindness does this simulate?
This tool simulates three types of color vision deficiency: Protanopia (red-blind, affecting ~1% of males), Deuteranopia (green-blind, affecting ~1% of males), and Tritanopia (blue-blind, affecting ~0.003% of people). Each type is simulated using scientifically-based color matrix transformations that approximate how colors appear to people with these conditions.
How accurate is the simulation?
The simulation uses established color matrix transformation algorithms based on research by Brettel, Vienot, and Mollon. While no simulation can perfectly replicate the subjective experience of color vision deficiency, these matrices provide a good approximation that is widely used in accessibility testing tools and research.
Why is color blindness testing important for designers?
Approximately 8% of males and 0.5% of females have some form of color vision deficiency. If your design relies solely on color to convey information (like red for errors, green for success), color-blind users may miss critical information. WCAG accessibility guidelines recommend never using color as the only visual means of conveying information.
What is the most common type of color blindness?
Red-green color blindness (protanopia and deuteranopia combined) is the most common, affecting about 8% of males of Northern European descent. Deuteranopia (green-blind) is slightly more common than protanopia (red-blind). Tritanopia (blue-yellow color blindness) is much rarer, affecting fewer than 1 in 10,000 people.
How can I make my designs more accessible?
Use sufficient contrast ratios (WCAG AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text). Never rely solely on color to convey meaning; add icons, labels, or patterns. Use color palettes that remain distinguishable under common forms of color blindness. Test your designs with a color blindness simulator like this one before publishing.
Is my color data processed on a server?
No, all color transformations happen entirely in your browser using JavaScript. The color matrix calculations are performed client-side, so your color data is never sent to any server. This ensures instant results and complete privacy.

How to Use the Color Blindness Simulator

Testing your color choices for accessibility is essential for inclusive design. Our color blindness simulator shows you exactly how any color appears to people with the three main types of color vision deficiency, helping you create designs that work for everyone.

Step 1: Enter a color. Type a hex color code (like #FF6B35) or use the color picker to select a color. You can also click the sample color buttons to quickly test common design colors.

Step 2: Compare the results. The tool instantly shows your original color alongside simulated versions for protanopia (red-blind), deuteranopia (green-blind), and tritanopia (blue-blind). Side-by-side swatches make it easy to see how your color shifts under each condition.

Step 3: Adjust your palette. If your color becomes indistinguishable from another important color in your design under any type of color blindness, consider adjusting your palette. Use the Chroma Creator color contrast checker to verify sufficient contrast ratios.

Understanding Color Vision Deficiency

Color vision deficiency (commonly called color blindness) affects approximately 300 million people worldwide. It occurs when one or more types of cone cells in the retina are absent or function differently. The three types of cone cells respond to red, green, and blue light, and deficiencies in any type alter color perception.

Protanopia is the absence of red-sensitive cone cells, causing reds to appear as dark yellows or browns and making it difficult to distinguish red from green. Deuteranopia is the absence of green-sensitive cones, producing similar difficulties with red-green distinction but with different color shifts. Tritanopia is the rare absence of blue-sensitive cones, affecting blue-yellow discrimination and making blues appear greenish.

Designing for Color Accessibility

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide clear guidance for color accessibility. Guideline 1.4.1 states that color should not be the only visual means of conveying information. This means error states should include icons or text labels in addition to red coloring, and charts should use patterns or labels in addition to color coding.

When choosing color palettes, focus on luminance contrast rather than hue alone. Colors with very different lightness values remain distinguishable even when hue perception is altered. For example, dark blue paired with light yellow maintains contrast under all forms of color blindness, while red paired with green of similar lightness becomes indistinguishable for most color-blind users.

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