What It’s Like to Be Colorblind (And Still Love the Web)

As someone who’s colorblind, I’ve learned just how tricky the web can be when color is the only way information is communicated.

A red error message that looks like plain text. A green button that fades into the background. A colorful chart that makes no sense at all. These might seem like minor issues, but they can make a website frustrating to use or even impossible to navigate.

I’m not the only one. About 350 million people around the world are colorblind. That’s a lot of people who benefit from clear and inclusive design. Making websites accessible isn’t just about following rules. It’s about making sure everyone can use and enjoy what you’ve created, no matter how they see color.

I asked a few friends, and apparently there’s a number on the left one. I don’t see anything on either of them.

What’s it like to be colorblind

When I pick clothes from my closet, like everyone does, just grab what fits. But sometimes I’ll match a light green shirt with white pants and think it looks fine... until someone tells me it absolutely doesn’t. For me, light green and white can look nearly the same.

I often get asked if I can see the colors of traffic lights. Yes I’m colorblind, but not clueless. I know the top is red and the bottom is green. I’ve learned what’s what, even if I don’t see the same colors as others.

For example: if something is dark blue to you, it might look light blue to me but I’ll still call it dark blue, because that’s how I’ve learned to describe it. I’ve seen the world this way my whole life. Glasses that “fix” colorblindness? Way too expensive, and most don’t actually work well. If I suddenly saw colors “correctly,” it would feel unfamiliar and confusing.

I've taken a lot of tests. All different website gives the same result: "Protanopia"

Protanopia makes it hard to tell red from green, and blue from green. It’s not just about red-green blindness but there’s more to it. The term “red-green colorblind” doesn’t really cover it. What I see can be very different, even if I’m technically looking at the same thing.

Also, not every colorblind person sees the same way. Protanopia fits me best, but that doesn’t mean everything I see looks exactly like the standard diagrams.

How I found out I was colorblind

It actually started with those small colorful IKEA containers you can use for things like yogurt or fruit. We had them in all kinds of colors: dark blue, light blue, pink, yellow, and a few others. My parents would ask me to grab the pink one, and I’d come back with blue.

Eventually they had me try a color vision test online. One after another. The Result? Always the same: Protanopia.

Want to know if you are colorblind?

How I design websites with colorblindness in mind

Being colorblind actually influences my work in a few specific ways:

• I stay away from pastel and desaturated colors. I honestly don’t even know what those look like.
• I love using dark backgrounds with light text. It’s super clear and easy to read.
• I name colors like “primary,” “secondary,” etc. so I can remember them without relying on hex codes.

If I ever can’t tell two colors apart in a layout, I’ll ask for an update. Contrast is key not just for me, but for a lot of people.

Honestly, accessibility has improved a ton lately. With more sites following A11Y guidelines, color contrast has become a real design priority. And I love that.

Well, what should you not do?

Well, there are many ways to mess things up, but here are a few classics that make colorblind users (like me) want to throw their laptop across the room:

• Relying on color alone to show important info (atleast show an icon if its a warning or succes)
• Use good color contrasts (try the contrast checker and press "Click to enhance")
• Making charts with a lot of colors and no labels, its a pain to my eyes

If you use color, back it up with patterns, icons, or text. Color should never be the only clue.

Tips for Fellow Creators

Here’s how I keep my work accessible for more people, not just those who are colorblind:

• I avoid pastel or low-saturation colors. Honestly, I don’t even trust myself with them.
• I like strong contrast. Dark backgrounds with light text, or black and white, are always the best.
• I name colors with variables like primary and secondary so I can stay consistent without relying on memory.
• I always check contrast. If I can’t read it easily, chances are someone else can’t either.
• If I’m not sure about something, I ask for a second opinion.

With a few small choices, you’re not just helping me. You’re helping 350 million other people too.

More resources → A11Y Style Guide Resources