Color Blindness Simulator

It simulates four conditions: Protanopia (red-blind), Deuteranopia (green-blind, most common), Tritanopia (blue-blind, rare), and Achromatopsia (complete color blindness). These cover the main CVD types affecting millions of people worldwide.

The simulation uses standard color matrix transformations based on established research (Brettel-Vienot-Mollon and others). It provides a good approximation of dichromatic vision. Actual perception varies per individual.

Dichromacy (protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia) means one cone type is completely missing — only two types function. Anomalous trichromacy (protanomaly, deuteranomaly) means all three cones exist but one is shifted in sensitivity. Anomalous forms are milder and far more common, affecting ~6% of males for deuteranomaly alone.

Don't rely on color alone to convey information — use patterns, labels, icons, or shapes alongside color. Ensure sufficient contrast between adjacent colors. Test your designs with a simulator before finalizing. The WCAG guidelines require a minimum contrast ratio that considers color vision deficiencies.

Use this tool to check if important UI elements remain distinguishable. Ensure sufficient contrast between text/background, that error states aren't just red/green, and that critical indicators use multiple cues (shape, position, icon) beyond color alone.