Color Trick is a free Stroop test game where a colour word appears in a different colour of paint, and you tap the colour you see, not the word you read. You have 45 seconds. It runs in your browser with no download or sign up, works on phones and computers, and keeps working offline once loaded.
Inspired by: The Stroop colour and word test and color matching brain games.
How to play Color Trick
- Press Play and read the big word on the card.
- Ignore what the word says. Look at the colour it is painted in.
- Tap the button that matches the paint colour, or press the number key shown on it.
- Each right answer scores points, and long streaks give bonus points.
- A wrong answer costs 2 seconds. New colours join the game as you improve. When 45 seconds are up, the game ends.
Controls
- Keyboard: Number keys 1 to 6 pick the buttons. R, B, G, Y and O also pick red, blue, green, yellow and orange.
- Mouse: Click the colour buttons under the card.
- Touch screen: Tap the colour buttons under the card.
Tips to score higher
- Keep your eyes on the word's edges and think of it as a shape. Do not read it.
- Stay calm after a mistake. Rushing leads to more errors.
- Build streaks. The bonus points grow every six right answers in a row.
- Use the number keys on a computer. They are faster than moving the mouse.
- Play a few rounds in a row. Most people get quicker after the first try.
The story behind Color Trick
In 1935 the psychologist John Ridley Stroop published a study showing that people take longer to name the colour of ink when the word spells a different colour. This is now called the Stroop effect, and it shows how reading is so automatic that it gets in the way of other tasks. Psychologists still use versions of the test to study attention and mental control. Many people first met it in school science classes or in puzzle books. Color Trick turns that classic test into a quick game so you can see how sharp your focus is.
Questions players ask
Is Color Trick free?
Yes. It is free to play with no sign up, no download and no in-game purchases.
What is the Stroop effect?
It is the delay you feel when the meaning of a word conflicts with the colour of its ink. Your brain reads the word automatically, so naming the colour takes more effort.
Is this a real psychology test?
No. It is a game inspired by the classic test. It can be fun to try, but it is not a medical or clinical tool.
How is the score worked out?
Each right answer gives 1 point, and every six answers in a row raise the bonus. A wrong answer breaks the streak and costs 2 seconds.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Tap the big colour buttons. The game fits a phone screen.