Jul 09, 2026 — Digital Edition
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What Colors to Avoid for Color Blindness

Choosing the right colors is crucial for ensuring your visual content is accessible to everyone, including those with color blindness. According to the World Health Organization, about 4.5% of the global population is affected by color blindness, making it important to understand which colors to avoid when designing for a diverse audience.

Color Blind? No Problem!
Color Blind? No Problem!

Color blindness, also known as color vision deficiency, is a condition where the ability to distinguish certain colors is reduced or absent. The most common types are red-green color blindness, which affects around 99% of all color-blind individuals. Understanding this can help us make informed decisions about color choices in our designs.

Colorblind-Friendly Palettes: Why & How to Use in Design - Venngage
Colorblind-Friendly Palettes: Why & How to Use in Design - Venngage

Colors to Avoid for Red-Green Color Blindness

Red-green color blindness makes it difficult to distinguish between red, green, and sometimes orange and brown. Therefore, it's essential to avoid using these colors in critical elements of your design, such as important buttons, links, or visual cues.

the color scheme for different colored lines
the color scheme for different colored lines

Here are some specific colors to avoid:

Red and Green

the color scheme is shown in this article, and it shows different colors that can be used
the color scheme is shown in this article, and it shows different colors that can be used

It's no surprise that red and green should be avoided, as they are the most challenging colors for people with red-green color blindness to distinguish. Using these colors side by side or in close proximity can make text or icons nearly impossible to see.

For example, if you're designing a website with a red 'Like' button and a green 'Share' button, users with red-green color blindness might not be able to tell the difference between the two.

Orange and Brown

color - blind safe palettes available from brain suda, normal vision protranopia and transopia
color - blind safe palettes available from brain suda, normal vision protranopia and transopia

While not as severe as red and green, orange and brown can also cause issues for people with red-green color blindness. These colors can blend together, making it difficult to distinguish between them.

For instance, using an orange button next to a brown header could make the button blend into the background, making it less noticeable or even invisible to someone with color blindness.

Color Blindness and Accessibility Guidelines

You got 2 out of 15! Can You Pass A Color Blind Test?
You got 2 out of 15! Can You Pass A Color Blind Test?

To ensure your designs are accessible to everyone, it's essential to follow some basic accessibility guidelines. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) provide a set of recommendations to make web content more accessible.

One of the key recommendations is to ensure that color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information. This means that if you use color to highlight important information, you should also provide an alternative way to convey that information, such as using patterns or shapes.

You’ll Be Amazed How People With Color Blindness See The World (57 Pics)
You’ll Be Amazed How People With Color Blindness See The World (57 Pics)
the text bad color combos and how to avoid them on a blue purple background
the text bad color combos and how to avoid them on a blue purple background
. Red Green Colorblind Test, Colorblind Pictures, Blue Color Blind Test, Color Blind Test For Kids, Red Color Blind Test, Color Blind Colors, Color Blind Photos, Red Green Colorblind, Enchroma Color Blind Test
. Red Green Colorblind Test, Colorblind Pictures, Blue Color Blind Test, Color Blind Test For Kids, Red Color Blind Test, Color Blind Colors, Color Blind Photos, Red Green Colorblind, Enchroma Color Blind Test
Color blindness
Color blindness
Color Vision Deficiency
Color Vision Deficiency
Guide to Color Blind Friendly Palettes | Yellowchalk Design
Guide to Color Blind Friendly Palettes | Yellowchalk Design
the color chart for different colors in an image, with each one being colored by its own
the color chart for different colors in an image, with each one being colored by its own
Are you facing Colour Blindness? Take a quick test.
Are you facing Colour Blindness? Take a quick test.
Color Blind Test - Heywise
Color Blind Test - Heywise
How to Design For Color Blindness - Angela Piccolo
How to Design For Color Blindness - Angela Piccolo
Color Blindness in the Classroom: Part 1 – Color Blind Friendly Charts
Color Blindness in the Classroom: Part 1 – Color Blind Friendly Charts
Color Blind Design Guidelines: A Comprehensive Guide - Venngage
Color Blind Design Guidelines: A Comprehensive Guide - Venngage
This Vision Test Will Tell You If You're Color Blind
This Vision Test Will Tell You If You're Color Blind
“Can You Score 15/21 Or Higher?”: Test Your Eyes In This Color Blindness Quiz
“Can You Score 15/21 Or Higher?”: Test Your Eyes In This Color Blindness Quiz
Accessible Colour Palettes: Why Contrast Matters for Readability
Accessible Colour Palettes: Why Contrast Matters for Readability
Color Blindness: 4 Surprising Benefits That You Didn’t Know
Color Blindness: 4 Surprising Benefits That You Didn’t Know
Find Out If You’re Colorblind With This Simple Test
Find Out If You’re Colorblind With This Simple Test
Google Image Result for https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/f4ZJTwKBis1cvWsjzNxzJdQ5G7A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-do-color-blind-people-see-5092522-final-f3346c38d0784497b9098d4f522434e7.png
Google Image Result for https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/f4ZJTwKBis1cvWsjzNxzJdQ5G7A=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/what-do-color-blind-people-see-5092522-final-f3346c38d0784497b9098d4f522434e7.png
Color Perception Humor, Understanding Color Vision, What Color Is The Bisexual Flag, Color Blind Chart, Describe Color To A Blind Person, What Are The Colors In The Lgbt Flag, What Color Is The Lgbtq Flag, Different Shutter Speeds Explained, Color Perception Explanation
Color Perception Humor, Understanding Color Vision, What Color Is The Bisexual Flag, Color Blind Chart, Describe Color To A Blind Person, What Are The Colors In The Lgbt Flag, What Color Is The Lgbtq Flag, Different Shutter Speeds Explained, Color Perception Explanation
the color palettes for different colors are shown in this chart, which shows how to choose
the color palettes for different colors are shown in this chart, which shows how to choose

Contrast and Brightness

Using high contrast between colors can help improve readability for people with color blindness. Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background can make text easier to read.

Similarly, using bright, saturated colors can also help improve visibility. For example, a bright blue button is more likely to stand out than a muted blue one.

Testing for Color Blindness

There are several tools available that can simulate color blindness and help you test your designs. These tools can be invaluable in ensuring that your designs are accessible to everyone.

Some popular tools include the Color Oracle (a free color blindness simulator for Mac and Windows) and the Chrome extension "Color Oracle for Chrome". These tools allow you to see your designs as they would appear to someone with color blindness, helping you identify any potential issues.

In conclusion, understanding which colors to avoid for color blindness is crucial for creating accessible designs. By following the guidelines outlined above, you can ensure that your visual content is accessible to everyone, regardless of their visual abilities. So, the next time you're designing a website, app, or presentation, take a moment to consider how your color choices might affect people with color blindness. It's a small step that can make a big difference in ensuring your content is accessible to all.