Color Blindness Simulator

See how your image looks to people with color vision deficiency. Simulate protanopia, deuteranopia, tritanopia, and achromatopsia with accurate color matrix transforms.

300+ images simulated

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4 Vision Types

Protanopia (red-blind), deuteranopia (green-blind), tritanopia (blue-blind), and achromatopsia (total color blindness) — covering the most common color vision deficiencies.

Two Comparison Modes

Side-by-side shows both versions at once for quick comparison. The overlay slider lets you drag a divider to see the exact difference at any point in the image.

100% Private

Color matrix transforms run entirely in your browser via the Canvas API. Your image stays on your device — no upload, no storage, no tracking.

What is color blindness simulation?

Color blindness simulation applies mathematical transforms to pixel data that model how the human visual system processes color when specific cone types are absent or dysfunctional. This tool uses Brettel/Vienot color matrices — the standard approach in accessibility research — to remap each pixel's RGB values. The result shows what a person with that specific type of color vision deficiency would perceive. Roughly 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency, making this essential for accessible design. To extract the specific colors in your image, use the Color Picker or the Color Palette Extractor.

Types of color vision deficiency

Protanopia means the red cone cells are absent — reds appear dark and are hard to distinguish from greens and browns. Deuteranopia is the absence of green cones — green-red discrimination is lost, the most common type affecting about 6% of males. Tritanopia affects blue cones and is much rarer — blues and yellows become confused. Achromatopsia is total color blindness: the world appears in shades of gray. Testing with all four types ensures your design communicates clearly regardless of the viewer's color perception. For checking specific color pair contrast, use the Contrast Checker.

Using this for accessible design

Run your UI screenshots, infographics, charts, maps, and marketing images through each simulation type. If information is lost — text becomes invisible against its background, chart segments merge, or status indicators (red/green) become indistinguishable — your design needs adjustment. Common fixes include adding patterns or labels alongside color, using colorblind-safe palettes, and ensuring sufficient luminance contrast. To resize your designs for different platforms after testing, use the Social Media Resizer or the Image Resizer.

Side-by-side vs overlay comparison

Side-by-side mode places the original and simulated versions next to each other, making it easy to scan both at once. Overlay mode stacks them with a draggable slider — useful for spotting subtle differences in specific regions. Both modes render at the same resolution so the comparison is pixel-accurate. The simulated version can be downloaded at full original resolution. Explore all 88 image tools. Learn more in our articles on color palette extraction and color picker guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of color blindness does this simulate?

Four types: protanopia (red-blind, missing red cones), deuteranopia (green-blind, missing green cones), tritanopia (blue-blind, missing blue cones), and achromatopsia (total color blindness, no color perception). Together these cover the vast majority of color vision deficiencies.

How accurate is the simulation?

The tool uses Brettel/Vienot color transformation matrices, which are the standard method used in vision science research and accessibility tools. They model the mathematical relationship between normal trichromatic vision and dichromatic (two-cone) vision. While no simulation can perfectly replicate individual perception, these matrices are widely accepted as the most accurate computational approach.

Does this upload my image to a server?

No. All processing happens in your browser using the Canvas API. The color matrix transform is applied to pixel data locally via getImageData and putImageData. Your image never leaves your device.

What is the difference between protanopia and deuteranopia?

Both affect red-green discrimination but through different mechanisms. Protanopia is the absence of red (long-wavelength) cones — reds appear very dark. Deuteranopia is the absence of green (medium-wavelength) cones — greens shift toward brown/tan. Deuteranopia is about three times more common than protanopia. Both make it difficult to distinguish red from green.

Why should I test my images for color blindness?

About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency — roughly 300 million people worldwide. If your design relies on color alone to convey information (red for errors, green for success, color-coded charts), those users will miss critical information. Testing catches these issues before publishing.

Can I download the simulated version?

Yes. Click "Download Simulated Image" to save the currently selected simulation at the full original resolution as a JPEG. This is useful for including in accessibility audit reports, presentations, or documentation to demonstrate how your design appears to color-blind users.