Color Blindness Simulator

Color Blindness Simulator — Instantly preview images as they appear to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. Enhance color accessibility for everyone. 100% privacy: your images never leave your device!

Simulation Type:

Privacy Guaranteed: All simulation and processing happens instantly in your browser. Your images are never uploaded or stored.

How to Use the Color Blindness Simulator

  1. Upload an Image

    Click “Choose File” to upload your image. Your image stays on your device.

  2. Select a Color Blindness Type

    Switch between types (e.g., Protanopia, Deuteranopia, Tritanopia) to see how your image appears for different color vision deficiencies.

  3. Download or Reset

    Download the simulated view for reports, or clear to try another image instantly.

Why Use a Color Blindness Simulator?

Accessibility Testing

Ensure your images, graphics, and designs are accessible for all types of color vision deficiencies.

Instant Preview

See real-time changes as you switch between simulation types—no reloading or waiting.

Privacy-First

All processing is local—your images never leave your browser, ensuring total privacy and safety.

How Does the Color Blindness Simulator Work?

The Color Blindness Simulator uses advanced color matrix filters to accurately reproduce how images appear to people with various color vision deficiencies. It supports Deuteranopia, Protanopia, Tritanopia, Achromatopsia, and more.

  • Real-Time Simulation: Switch simulation types and see updates instantly.
  • Multiple Categories: Supports 7+ types of color blindness for comprehensive testing.
  • Flexible Formats: Works with PNG, JPG, GIF, and more.
  • No Uploads: Your image is never sent anywhere, ensuring privacy and fast processing.

Supported Color Blindness Types

Type
Description
Normal
Full color vision
Deuteranopia
Green-blind (cannot perceive green light)
Protanopia
Red-blind (cannot perceive red light)
Tritanopia
Blue-blind (cannot perceive blue light)
Achromatopsia
Total color blindness (sees only greyscale)
Protanomaly
Red-weak (reduced sensitivity to red)
Deuteranomaly
Green-weak (reduced sensitivity to green)
Tritanomaly
Blue-weak (reduced sensitivity to blue)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Color Blindness Simulator?

A Color Blindness Simulator is a tool that lets you view images as they appear to people with different types of color blindness.

Which types of color blindness does this tool support?

It supports Normal, Deuteranopia, Protanopia, Tritanopia, Achromatopsia, Protanomaly, Deuteranomaly, and Tritanomaly.

Does this simulator process images online or offline?

All processing is local in your browser. Your images are never uploaded or saved anywhere.

Can I download the simulated image?

Yes, after simulation you can download the current view as a PNG for reports or sharing.

Does it work on mobile devices?

Yes, the tool is fully responsive and works on all modern smartphones and tablets.

What file formats are supported?

JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, WebP, and most standard image formats supported by browsers.

Can I use this for website or UI design accessibility testing?

Yes! Upload screenshots or design exports to test how your visuals appear to people with color blindness.

Is this tool free to use?

Yes! It’s 100% free, with no sign-up required and no ads.

What if my image doesn’t load or preview?

Make sure your file is a supported image format and not larger than your browser’s memory allows. Try smaller images if you encounter issues.

Is my data private and secure?

Yes! All simulation is performed locally in your browser. No image is ever uploaded or tracked.

Understanding Color Vision Deficiency: A Deeper Look

Color vision deficiency (CVD), or color blindness, is a condition where a person’s ability to see or distinguish between certain colors is reduced. [1, 2] It occurs when the cones (color-sensing nerve cells) in the eye’s retina are absent or not functioning correctly. [1, 11] While many believe it means seeing the world in only black and white, that form—Achromatopsia—is extremely rare, affecting only about 1 in 30,000 people. [1, 4]

The most common forms are inherited, genetically linked to the X chromosome, which is why red-green deficiencies are significantly more prevalent in men. [2, 5] Globally, it is estimated that around 300 million people have some form of color blindness. [1, 7]

  • Global Prevalence: Approximately 1 in 12 men (8%) and 1 in 200 women (0.5%) have a form of color vision deficiency. [2, 6]
  • Red-Green Deficiency: This is the most widespread type and includes Protanopia (red-blindness) and Deuteranopia (green-blindness), as well as their anomalous trichromacy variations (Protanomaly and Deuteranomaly). [1, 4]
  • Blue-Yellow Deficiency: A much rarer form, known as Tritanopia (blue-blindness) or Tritanomaly, is not sex-linked and affects men and women equally. [1, 6]

Understanding the nuances of these conditions is the first step toward creating more inclusive and accessible visual content. Our simulator is designed to help bridge this perception gap, allowing creators to see their work through the eyes of others.

Web Accessibility and Design: Best Practices

Beyond simulation, creating truly accessible designs involves a few key principles. Integrating these practices ensures that your content is usable and understood by everyone, regardless of their visual ability. This not only broadens your audience but can also significantly enhance user experience and SEO. [18, 19]

Prioritize Color Contrast

Ensure a high contrast ratio (at least 4.5:1 for normal text) between text and its background. [8] This is a foundational principle of accessible design and improves readability for everyone, not just users with CVD. [14, 21]

Use More Than Just Color

Never rely on color alone to convey important information. [3] Use patterns, textures, icons, and clear text labels to differentiate elements, such as in graphs, charts, or to indicate an error. [10, 16]

Add Clear Labels and Instructions

Ensure all interactive elements, form fields, and color options are clearly labeled. [15] For example, on an e-commerce site, use text labels like “Blue” or “Green” for product color swatches instead of only showing the color. [16]