Color Shade Test

What is a color shade test?

A color shade test asks you to spot a small difference between otherwise identical color tiles. In this game, each grid contains one lighter or darker tile. All the other tiles have exactly the same displayed color. Your task is to choose the odd one out, not to name a color or arrange a sequence.

How to play

1. Compare the tiles and choose the one with a different shade. Use a mouse or touch, or Tab followed by Enter or Space.
2. Submit one answer per question. A check mark identifies the correct tile; a cross marks an incorrect choice. The game continues after either answer.
3. Complete all 20 questions to see your total, results for each stage and an answer-by-answer review. Restart whenever you want a new round.

What does your score mean?

Each correct answer earns one point; an incorrect answer earns zero. A score of 16/20 means you found the different tile in 16 questions and missed four. Time taken does not change your score.

There is no pass mark, population ranking or percentile. The result describes this round only. It does not measure visual acuity, diagnose color blindness, or establish exceptional color vision.

Use the stage breakdown to see where you missed tiles. A later stage combines more tiles with a smaller shade difference, so compare the tasks themselves rather than treating the score as an ability label.

How the 20 questions get harder

There are four stages with five questions each. Color differences become progressively smaller within each stage. At the first question of a larger grid, the configured lightness difference stays the same as the previous question, so both difficulty factors do not jump at once.

Different color families appear throughout a round. These are adjustable game settings, not standardized medical thresholds. A new round generates new colors and positions.

Before you compare the shades

• Keep your screen brightness and room lighting steady during a round.
• Avoid glare and look at the screen from a consistent angle. Color filters or night modes change the colors you are comparing.
• Take your time. There is no countdown, speed bonus or penalty for pausing before a choice.

Color shade, hue and color blind tests: what is different?

This Color Shade Test uses tiles of the same hue with a difference mainly in lightness. You find one odd tile in each grid.

The Hue Test asks you to arrange colors in order. It is a different task from finding one lighter or darker tile.

The Color Blind Test uses color-dot plates rather than shade grids. A game score here is not interchangeable with a color-vision screening result.

Color Shade Test FAQ

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