How good is YOUR colour perception? Deceptively difficult test tasks you with finding the boundary between two shades – so, how far can you get?
How good is YOUR colour perception? Deceptively difficult test tasks you with finding the boundary between two shades – so, how far can you get?
A novel challenge has emerged to test your understanding of color distinction, leaving even the most seasoned observers questioning their visual acuity.
How the Game Works
The “What’s My JND?” game presents players with two color blocks on-screen, prompting them to click the dividing line. While the task appears straightforward, the difficulty escalates rapidly as the hues converge.
As the rounds progress, the color pairs become increasingly indistinct. The game’s instructions emphasize that “it starts easy. It does not stay easy,” highlighting the gradual complexity that demands heightened focus.
At the conclusion of 40 rounds, participants receive a score representing the smallest perceptible color difference they can identify, often revealing surprising limitations in human vision.
Each round the colors get closer together until we find your Just Noticeable Difference – the smallest color change you can actually see.
Developed by software engineer Keith Cirkel, the game aims to explore the precision of color perception on digital displays. Players can begin by visiting the game’s platform and clicking the “Let’s go” button.
The Science of Color Perception
Color vision relies on intricate structures within the eye, including photoreceptors that convert light into signals for the brain. These receptors, known as cones and rods, function differently to process visual information.
Cones detect color and are sensitive to specific light wavelengths, while rods excel in low-light conditions, enabling grayscale perception. Humans and other animals typically possess three types of cones, each tuned to distinct wavelength ranges—short, medium, and long—spanning 390 an 700 nm.
Some species, such as many birds, have an evolutionary adaptation called tetrachromacy, featuring four cones. This allows them to discern ultraviolet light, extending their visual spectrum beyond human capabilities.
‘Rough. But look, I once failed a colour vision test because the room had fluorescent lighting. Environment matters. Try again in a dark room with your brightness cranked. Or don’t. I’m not your mum.’
Players who achieve a high score may encounter a message like: ‘Genuinely remarkable. You sailed past the theoretical human limit like it owed you money. I’d accuse you of cheating but I don’t actually how you’d cheat at this.’
The game’s challenge intensifies in a harder variant, where nine squares are displayed—eight matching and one distinct. Success here requires not only acute perception but also strategic discernment.
‘Not bad considering I’m colourblind.’
With its engaging format, the game has sparked widespread interest, prompting players to share results on social platforms. Discussions often reveal how environmental factors and individual biology influence color recognition, adding a layer of intrigue to the experience.
