Color Blind Simulator

Have you ever wondered how the world looks to someone with color blindness? A color blind simulator can give you a glimpse.

Sim:

Hello from Vue Options API!

H: S: L:

Red fac:

Green fac:

Light fac:

Images to feature:

Watermelon / fruits
Peppers / vegetables
Extra rare steak
Fall leaves
Halloween costumes
Christmas tree
Poinsetta
Easter eggs
Roses / Valentine’s Day
Sunset
Colorful Parrot
Kids birthday party
Ladybug on green leaves
Stoplight

These tools alter the colors on your screen to mimic the perception of various types of color vision deficiencies, letting you step into the shoes of those who don’t see color the same way you do.

I remember the day I learned I was red-green color blind. I felt uneasy and embarrassed, worried that people would think I was somehow less capable. Yet when I finally started talking about it, I realized most people weren’t judgmental—they were very curious. They wanted to know how I perceived everyday objects, traffic lights, fruits, and even artwork. Their questions inspired me to help them understand, and soon I discovered that showing them was far more effective than just telling them.

That’s where the color blind simulator came in.

I’m Color Blind—Why I Use a Simulator

When I first found an online tool that simulated color blindness, I was amazed. All I had to do was upload an image or toggle a setting, and the screen would shift to represent the world as I see it. Unlike describing my vision with words, the simulator provided a visual “aha!” moment for my friends and family. They could finally understand that what they took for granted—vibrant reds, lush greens—might appear as confusingly similar hues to me.

I was shocked at their reactions. They frequently said, “Wow, this is what it looks like for you?” Some were fascinated; others felt empathy; and most seemed surprised how different it was. The simulator bridged a gap that words alone couldn’t fill.

Something unexpected happened when I started using these simulators to demonstrate what I saw. I noticed people pointing out certain colors that looked nearly identical to them in the simulated mode, but that I could still differentiate easily. Bright reds and greens still look quite different to me, but they said they looked the same in the simulation. This surprised me, because the simulation was supposed to mimic my perception. Why were people struggling more than I did with certain hues?

It dawned on me, I had trained my brain to maximize the limited color cues I had. My neural pathways found ways to exaggerate the distinctions between shades that are confusing for someone with my type of color vision deficiency. In other words, my “normal” was not the simulator’s default version of color blindness—it was a more refined adaptation shaped by practice and brain training.

This revelation led me to develop a framework for “color perception training.” If I could train my brain, then other color blind individuals could, too. They might not magically see color as the average viewer does, but they could learn to notice slight variations in hue, lightness, or context clues that help them navigate a color-coded world more confidently.

Learn more by signing up for my free email course! In it I break down the techniques, exercises, and mindset shifts that helped me overcome color blindness.
[Email Course Signup Here]

A color blind simulator applies algorithms that modify colors on your screen to approximate how someone with a given type of color vision deficiency would see them. Typically, these tools focus on simulating the most common categories:

1. Red-Green Deficiencies (Protan and Deutan):

These are the most common forms. They involve anomalies or absences of the red or green cones in the retina. A simulator for red-green color blindness shifts hues so reds and greens appear closer together, making once-distinct shades look nearly identical.

2. Blue-Yellow Deficiencies (Tritan):

Far less common, tritan deficiencies affect the perception of blues and yellows. A simulator recreates these conditions by distorting colors at the short-wavelength end of the spectrum.

3. Achromatopsia (Complete Color Blindness):

Rare and severe, it can lead to a nearly monochromatic view. A simulator filters colors into grayscale to represent a world without functional cone cells.

Simulators work by adjusting the RGB (red, green, blue) values of on-screen colors. Certain hues are shifted closer together, while others lose their vibrancy. This doesn’t perfectly replicate every individual’s experience. People with color blindness are diverse, and each may perceive subtle differences but it gives a helpful approximation.

1. Education and Understanding:

Teachers, parents, and friends of color blind individuals can use simulators to better understand the challenges their loved ones face. Instead of relying on abstract explanations, a few minutes with a simulator shows them the reality.

2. Web and Graphic Design:

Designers must ensure their work is accessible. A color blind simulator helps them check how important elements—such as navigation menus, data visualizations, or warning icons—look to color blind users. By doing so, they can choose palettes and contrasts that make content clear for everyone.

3. User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) Testing:

Software developers and UX designers can run their apps or websites through a simulator to spot issues before launch. This ensures that color-coded indicators, buttons, or error messages remain comprehensible even to users who don’t see color normally.

4. Product and Packaging Design:

Manufacturers can test their product packaging or labeling. Does the expiration date stand out enough on a green package? Will a warning label that relies on red text be noticeable to someone who can’t distinguish red from brown?

Just as I discovered, color blind individuals can use simulators to see how others think they see the world. It can reveal where their own perception might differ from a baseline simulation and help them understand their unique adaptations.

1. Online Tools:

Some websites allow you to upload images or enter a URL to generate a simulated version. This is quick and easy, requiring no installation. For example, a designer might paste their website’s URL and instantly see how it appears in various simulated color visions.

2. Browser Extensions:

Some developers have created browser plugins or extensions that apply filters to the entire web page you’re viewing. This helps you test multiple pages at once or browse the web as if you have a certain type of color blindness.

3. Desktop and Mobile Apps:

Standalone applications can simulate color blindness on local images or graphic design projects. These tools might integrate into design software like Photoshop or Sketch, allowing you to adjust your creations on the fly.

4. Integrated Features in Design Software:

Certain design platforms have built-in color blind simulation modes. With a single click, you can toggle between normal and simulated views.

1. Test Early and Often:

If you’re a designer, don’t wait until the final draft. Test your designs with a simulator throughout the creative process. This helps you catch accessibility issues before they become deeply embedded in your work.

2. Use Multiple Simulations:

There isn’t just one type of color blindness. Test your product or website under all major categories (deutan, protan, tritan). A design that looks fine under red-green simulation might fail under blue-yellow simulation.

3. Combine with Other Accessibility Tools:

Simulators are a starting point. You can also use color contrast checkers or ask for feedback from actual users with color vision deficiencies. Real-world input is invaluable.

4. Embrace Patterns and Labels:

If you discover that two colors are indistinguishable under simulation, consider adding a pattern, label, or shape difference. Relying solely on color to convey meaning can unintentionally exclude some users.

Overcoming Color Blindness Challenges

A color blind simulator helps others understand what I see, but it also helped me understand myself better. Recognizing that people found my simulated view challenging meant that I had, over time, become adept at picking up subtle cues. I’ve used this insight to develop mental strategies to differentiate colors more effectively.

You can do the same. If you’re color blind, a simulator can highlight exactly where others perceive a difference. By studying these discrepancies, you can train your mind to compensate. You might not “fix” your retina’s cones, but you can sharpen your ability to navigate color-coded information.

Final Thoughts

A color blind simulator is more than just a curiosity. It’s a powerful tool for empathy, accessibility, and personal growth. By enabling anyone to see the world through the eyes of a person with color vision deficiency, it helps bridge understanding and encourages more accessible design choices.

Whether you’re a designer aiming for universal accessibility, a friend wanting to understand a loved one’s perspective, or a color blind individual exploring your own visual world, simulators open a window into a different way of seeing. With them, we can foster inclusion, appreciation, and better visual communication across the spectrum of human perception.

Last updated: April 04 2025