Optical illusion: Only 20% of people can name the colour shown without being tricked by the word itself

Think you can name colours without getting confused? Well, this optical illusion challenge might just test how well your brain listens to your eyes! It looks simple—but don’t be too sure.


An image created by Jackson’s has gone viral for playing a colourful trick on our minds. The task? Say the colour of the text, not the word written. Sounds easy? Give it a shot!


The image shows a list of colour names like “Blue,” “Green,” “Red,” and so on. But here’s the catch: the actual colour of the text doesn’t match the word. For example, the word “Red” might be printed in green colour.



To complete the challenge correctly, you have to say the colour you see—not the word written. So, if you see the word “Yellow” written in blue, you need to say “blue.”


Now here’s where things get interesting: studies show that only about 20% of people can get through the whole list without making a mistake. Your brain wants to read the word, but your eyes are trying to tell you something else. It’s a true tug of war!


This illusion is based on what scientists call the Stroop Effect. It’s a psychological test that shows how your brain struggles to handle conflicting information. When the meaning of the word and the colour of the text don’t match, your brain gets confused.


Basically, reading is automatic for most people. So when your brain sees the word “Blue,” it instantly wants to read it, even if it’s written in red. You have to work extra hard to ignore the word and say the colour.


Benefits of doing optical illusions like this

Optical illusions aren’t just fun—they’re also a workout for your brain. Here’s how they help:

• This illusion forces your brain to slow down and pay attention. Practising such exercises regularly can sharpen your concentration.
• Your brain learns to switch between tasks and resist distractions. This helps in everyday situations like multitasking or solving problems.
• Illusions train your eyes and brain to work better together, improving how quickly and accurately you process information.
• Solving illusions can be surprisingly calming. It draws your attention away from worries and helps your mind stay in the moment.
• When you challenge your brain with visual puzzles, it strengthens the pathways responsible for short-term memory.