Skip to content
Detect Color Blindness

Color Blind Test for Kids

Made for children who don't read numbers yet: each plate hides a simple shape: a star, heart, circle, square or triangle. Sit with your child and let them point or tap.

Plate 1 of 8

What number do you see?

No timer · answers stay on your device

Tip: view in good lighting at 100% screen brightness for the most reliable result.

Not a medical diagnosis. This is an educational screening tool, not a clinical exam. Screen brightness, color settings and lighting all affect the result. For anything that matters, a driving or aviation medical, a job requirement, or a health concern, book a professional color-vision test with an optometrist or ophthalmologist.

How to test a young child for color blindness

Color vision deficiency is present from birth and is stable, so an early screen can help, especially since so much early learning is color-coded. Keep it relaxed:

  • Test in good daylight, with the screen at full brightness and night-mode off.
  • Ask "what shape can you see?" and let your child name or trace it with a finger.
  • If they say they can't see a shape, that's a valid answer, tap "I can't see a shape."
  • Don't coach or point at the shape; you want their honest view.

Signs of color blindness in children

Watch for coloring objects the "wrong" color, confusing colors when naming or sorting, difficulty with color-coded worksheets, or a family history (color blindness often passes from a grandfather to a grandson through the mother). None of these confirm anything on their own.

When to see a professional

This is a screen, not a diagnosis. If your child struggles with these plates, or if you have concerns, book a paediatric optometrist. A formal test at around age 4-5 gives a clear answer, and simple classroom adjustments make a big difference. Learn more about how color blindness is inherited or the different types.

Frequently asked questions

At what age can a child take a color blindness test?
Shape-based screening can work from around age 3-4, once a child can name or point to basic shapes. Results are less reliable the younger the child, so treat it as a first check rather than a diagnosis.
How do I know if my child is color blind?
Signs include confusing colors when naming or sorting, using the 'wrong' colors when drawing, or trouble with color-coded schoolwork. A shape-based screen at home plus a visit to a paediatric optometrist is the best combination.
Is color blindness a problem for school?
It can be, because a lot of early learning is color-coded. Telling teachers helps, small changes like labelling colors or using patterns make a big difference.

Keep exploring

What next?

Take the color blind test 14 quick plates · instant type & severity · no sign-up. Start the test → See how you see color Simulate protan, deutan, tritan & more on any image. Open the simulator → Do color blind glasses work? Honest comparison of EnChroma, Pilestone & ColorLite. Read the guide →