What is being tested?
This page presents original, generated pseudoisochromatic-style patterns. Each pattern hides a shape in colored dots; the exercise changes the color difference and dot layout from plate to plate.
COLOR PLATE EXERCISE Runs on this device
HRR Color Vision Test
Original screen-based exercise. It is not a clinical HRR test or a diagnosis.
This page offers an original, screen-generated color-vision exercise. It shows which generated color sets you missed and provides a response record you can copy, download or print.
Start test12 generated plates · no account needed
Plate 1 of 120% complete
LOOK AT THE PLATE
01Which shape do you see?
Use keys 1–5 to answer
YOUR EXERCISE RECORD
Response summary
| Plate | Your answer | Match | Set | Tier |
|---|
This record summarizes only this generated exercise. Display settings, ambient light, viewing distance, and individual differences can change what you see. It cannot diagnose a color-vision condition or establish fitness for work, driving, or flight.
THE STANDARD PRINTED TEST
What is the Hardy Rand and Rittler test?
The HRR test is a printed-plate assessment for screening red–green and blue–yellow color-vision deficiencies and classifying their type and extent. National Academies, Procedures for Testing Color Vision, 1981.
The fourth edition contains 24 plates: four demonstration plates explain the task, six screening plates check for color-vision deficiency, and fourteen diagnostic plates assess its type and extent. Fourth-edition test description. The screening series includes two blue–yellow plates and four red–green plates. Examiner instructions, screening.
The diagnostic responses can distinguish protan, deutan and tritan patterns; the instructions also allow an unclassified result. The printed-test grades are mild, medium and strong, determined by the last plate group in which errors occur under the examiner’s instructions. Examiner instructions, interpretation. These are grades of the printed assessment, not this page’s generated exercise.
What are HRR color plates?
When administering Hardy Rand Rittler plates, an examiner follows the printed book’s lighting and scoring instructions. Examiner instructions, illumination. This page uses separate, original generated patterns. Source: This page's current implementation.
ABOUT THE EXERCISE
What this page can tell you
How does this exercise score responses?
This page's current implementation counts missed shapes in each generated set. It reports a protan-, deutan-, or tritan-targeted response pattern when one set has a unique lead with at least two missed shapes and no blank-check error; otherwise, it reports “Unable to determine.” This exercise-only pattern is not a clinical classification.
What are the limits?
HRR pseudoisochromatic plates require the specified illumination and administration conditions. Examiner instructions, illumination. A screen exercise cannot control display calibration, lighting, viewing distance, or testing conditions. It cannot confirm or exclude a color-vision deficiency. Only an examination by a qualified eye-care professional can establish a diagnosis.
Evidence and source notes
Professional color-vision assessment may use standardized color plates and additional examination when needed. Published findings about printed test materials do not validate this generated exercise. Clinical study, 1997
OFFICIAL REQUIREMENTS · UNITED STATES
Which color vision requirements apply to your goal?
Requirements depend on the certificate, license, job, or local school program. This generated exercise is not an approved screening and cannot determine eligibility.
Aviation: pilots and air traffic controllers
What must you pass? For pilot medical certification, meet the FAA color-vision standard for safe airman duties using an FAA-approved computerized test; the FAA guide lists test-specific scores. Initial air traffic controller applicants must demonstrate normal color vision. Federal Aviation Administration, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, version 03/25/2026; Air Traffic Controller Qualifications, checked 10/24/2026.
Who decides? An Aviation Medical Examiner administers and records pilot testing; the FAA’s Aerospace Medical Certification Division handles reevaluation. The controller qualification page identifies the FAA standard; a separate decision-maker is not specified there. Federal Aviation Administration, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners: Item 52, updated 08/27/2025; FAA, Can I get an FAA medical certificate if I am colorblind?, checked 10/24/2026.
What changed? Effective 01/01/2025, pilot screening changed to an approved computer-based test administered in person; virtual, downloaded, and printed tests are prohibited. The FAA guide says: “testing for pilots will be an approved computer-based color vision test.” Federal Aviation Administration, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, version 03/25/2026 (pilot instruments updated 08/27/2025).
Why do FAA sources describe the color vision test differently?
Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners: “EFFECTIVE JAN 1, 2025, testing for pilots will be an approved computer-based color vision test.” It also says, “Testing must be performed in person. Virtual testing, downloaded, or printed versions of color vision tests are prohibited.” Federal Aviation Administration, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, version 03/25/2026; pilot instruments updated 08/27/2025.
FAA color-vision FAQ: “Aviation Medical Examiners (AMEs) check color vision by using special color plates.” Its publication or revision date is not found in official sources. Federal Aviation Administration, Can I get an FAA medical certificate if I am colorblind?, publication/revision date not found in official sources; checked 10/24/2026.
What happens if you fail the initial color vision test?
An initial failure does not by itself establish that no certificate can be issued. The FAA FAQ says: “If you can’t pass the initial color vision test but otherwise meet medical standards, we may issue you a medical certificate with the limit ‘NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLIGHT OR BY COLOR SIGNAL CONTROL.’” This is a possible limited certificate, not a promise of issuance or unrestricted flight.
For reevaluation, the FAA says: “If you have a medical certificate bearing a color vision limitation, you may request reevaluation by writing to:” Aerospace Medical Certification Division, AAM-300, Federal Aviation Administration, Civil Aerospace Medical Institute, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125. It further states: “The AME will ask you to demonstrate your ability to perform tasks that require color vision by giving you a signal light test. The Aerospace Medical Certification Division will consider the results of the test in reevaluating you.” Federal Aviation Administration, Can I get an FAA medical certificate if I am colorblind?, page date not shown; checked 10/24/2026.
Commercial driving
What must you meet? For interstate commercial motor vehicle driving, the federal standard requires the ability to recognize standard red, green, and amber traffic-signal colors. FMCSA says color perception may be evaluated with a standard color test or a controlled test using those colors. 49 CFR § 391.41(b)(10), current 10/22/2026; FMCSA Medical Examiner’s Handbook, 2024 Edition.
Who decides? The certified medical examiner makes the physical qualification determination, even when an eye specialist performs the vision testing. FMCSA Medical Examiner’s Handbook, 2024 Edition.
What changed? The 2024 handbook explains how the existing color-recognition standard is applied. I found no later change to this color-vision requirement in the official sources checked on 10/24/2026. FMCSA Medical Examiner’s Handbook, 2024 Edition; 49 CFR § 391.41.
Other settings without one nationwide standard
For general screening, ordinary state driver licenses, school or child screening, and public-sector hiring, I did not identify one nationwide color-vision pass standard in the official sources checked on 10/24/2026. Ask the state driver-licensing agency about a regular license, the school screening lead about its program, or the hiring authority’s medical or HR contact about a job. For a health assessment, ask a qualified eye-care professional. USAGov, state motor vehicle services; EEOC guidance, 07/26/2023; National Eye Institute, 12/06/2024; AAPOS, updated 04/2025.
Questions about color vision requirements
What color vision test does the FAA require?
For pilot medical certification, an FAA-approved computerized color vision test must be given in person. The current FAA guide lists the approved options and their individual scoring requirements. FAA, Guide for Aviation Medical Examiners, version 03/25/2026.
Does failing mean I cannot fly at all?
The FAA FAQ describes a possible limited medical certificate for an applicant who fails the initial test but otherwise meets medical standards: “NOT VALID FOR NIGHT FLIGHT OR BY COLOR SIGNAL CONTROL.” The FAA says “may issue,” so this is not a promise of a certificate or unrestricted flight. FAA, Can I get an FAA medical certificate if I am colorblind?, publication/revision date not found in official sources; checked 10/24/2026.
Can I retake the test?
The FAA says a pilot with a color-vision limitation may request reevaluation; an Aviation Medical Examiner then gives a signal-light test and the FAA reviews the result. A general waiting period or automatic retake schedule is not found in official sources. FAA, Can I get an FAA medical certificate if I am colorblind?, publication/revision date not found in official sources; checked 10/24/2026.
Rules can differ by state, employer, certificate, and school program. Confirm the current requirement with the responsible licensing or examining authority. This page is informational and is not an official eligibility decision or a diagnosis.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the standardized Hardy Rand Rittler test?
No. The Hardy Rand Rittler assessment uses standardized printed materials; this page offers original generated practice. Examiner instructions; This page's current implementation.
Can this exercise replace an HRR color test?
No. The generated exercise is not the formal printed assessment or a clinical examination. A qualified professional must assess and diagnose a color-vision condition. National Eye Institute, testing guidance.
Can I use this page for a Hardy Rand Rittler color vision test required for work or licensing?
No. This page does not determine eligibility. Ask the relevant examining or licensing body which approved test and procedure it requires.