Color Shade
Color Perception Test
Test your color perception by finding the one tile that is slightly different from the rest. Difficulty increases as you progress through levels.
How to Play
Look at the grid of colored tiles. One tile has a slightly different shade - click it! Start with an easy 3x3 grid and progress to harder levels with larger grids and subtler color differences. You have 3 lives. Wrong clicks cost a life. The game ends when you run out of lives or complete all levels.
Game Mechanics & Science
Color perception is determined by cone cells in your retina. Most humans have three types of cones, but the sensitivity varies significantly between individuals. This test measures your ability to distinguish subtle hue and saturation differences. About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency, which this test can help identify. The differences decrease from 15% to just 3% at high levels.
Tips & Strategies
Slightly squinting can help emphasize color differences. Look at the center of the grid to see all tiles in your peripheral vision - the different tile often 'pops out'. Move quickly on easy levels to save time for harder ones. Screen brightness and ambient lighting can affect perception. IPS monitors display colors more accurately than TN panels.
Frequently Asked Questions
I cannot see any difference?
This might indicate color vision differences. Try adjusting screen brightness, reducing ambient light, or taking a break. Some people have reduced sensitivity to certain color ranges.
Why do levels get so hard?
Color differences decrease from 15% to just 3% at high levels, testing your maximum color perception ability. Professional colorists can often reach very high levels.
Does screen quality matter?
Yes, IPS panels typically show colors more accurately than TN panels. Your monitor calibration and color profile also affect the test accuracy.
Can I improve my color perception?
While your biological color perception is largely fixed, you can improve your attention to subtle color differences through practice and training.