Eye Colors: Every Shade Explained
From deep brown to cool gray, every iris combines pigment, structure and light in its own way. Explore the common families and the patterns that make them distinctive.
Color boundaries aren't always sharp. Hazel can overlap with green or amber, and dark brown often looks black indoors. Use these guides to compare the dominant color in indirect daylight, then try the eye color test for a closer look at your own iris.
Brown Eyes
The world's most common eye color, ranging from warm honey brown to nearly black.
Explore shade →Blue Eyes
Light-scattering irises that can range from pale ice blue to deep slate.
Explore shade →Green Eyes
A relatively uncommon green iris, often with gold flecks or a dark outer ring.
Explore shade →Hazel Eyes
A shifting-looking mix of green, brown and gold within one iris.
Explore shade →Gray Eyes
A cool silver or slate appearance that may be mistaken for blue.
Explore shade →Amber Eyes
A predominantly golden, copper or honey-toned iris.
Explore shade →Black Eyes
Eyes that look black are almost always very dark brown.
Explore shade →Violet Eyes
A rare-looking violet impression, usually created by blue-gray eyes and lighting.
Explore shade →Heterochromia
Two irises with different colors, or a clearly different-colored segment of one iris.
Explore shade →Central Heterochromia
A distinct inner color ring surrounding the pupil within a differently colored iris.
Explore shade →See the colors in your own iris
Take a close-up photo with your phone and explore your eye family, palette and iris details with a free preview.
Check your eye color from a photo →