Color vision tests
for jobs
Online screens help you prepare. They cannot certify you for aviation, maritime, electrical, or other colour-critical work.
What online tests are for
A free Ishihara-style color blind test, Farnsworth D-15 screen, or FM-100 hue screen can flag whether red-green or blue-yellow confusion is likely. That is useful before you book an optometrist—or before you apply for a role that lists a colour vision standard.
What they cannot do: replace a clinic book of plates, a calibrated D-15, a lantern test, or a cone-contrast exam under controlled lighting.
Roles that often ask for colour vision
- Aviation / ATC — many authorities require formal testing; rules vary by licence class and country.
- Maritime / navy — lantern or arrangement tests appear in some standards.
- Electricians — wiring colour codes may trigger employer or training-provider checks.
- Police / military / rail — local medical standards apply; do not rely on a browser pass/fail.
How to prepare (honestly)
- Take our free color blind test and, if you want an arrangement task, the D-15 screen.
- Read your employer or regulator’s named test (Ishihara, HRR, D-15, CAD, lantern)—not a generic “online colour blind test.”
- Book a clinical exam if the role requires documentation. Ask whether corrective tints are allowed; often they are not.
Glasses and “guaranteed pass” claims
Marketing for colour-corrective glasses sometimes implies occupational pass rates. Evidence is mixed, and many exams ban tinted lenses. See Do color blind glasses work? for a careful summary.
FAQ
Can an online color blind test pass me for a job?
No. Browser tests are uncalibrated screens. Employers and regulators that require colour vision usually specify clinical instruments (Ishihara book, HRR, D-15, lantern, CAD). An online pass does not certify you.
Which jobs often require a colour vision test?
Common examples include some aviation, maritime, electrical, rail, police/military, and certain lab or design roles. Rules differ by country and employer—always check the official standard.
What should I take online before a clinic appointment?
An Ishihara-style screen and, if useful, a Farnsworth D-15 style arrangement can help you know what to expect. Bring results as conversation starters, not as proof.
Do color blind glasses help me pass occupational tests?
Tinted lenses can change plate scores for some people but do not restore normal colour vision. Many formal exams forbid or restrict them. See our glasses guide for evidence-based context.
Screen yourself first
Free Ishihara-style plates and a D-15 arrangement—no signup.