Color Preference Assessment
Color Preference Test
Informed by Lüscher Color Psychology
Pick the colors that appeal to you most, twice. See how stable your preferences are and what patterns show up.
Research behind the Luscher color test
The Luscher color test has a long history and a complicated evidence record. Here is what the research actually says.
From the Research
"Wherever possible, two series of selections should be made with a short interval of a few minutes between them."
— Luscher, M. & Scott, I. A. (1969). The Luscher Color Test. Random House.
Max Luscher first presented his color-choice procedure in 1947 and published his dissertation on it in 1949. The English-language book appeared in 1969. The core idea: people rank a set of colors by appeal, and the order reflects something about their current emotional and psychological state.
The widely known "short" version uses 8 colors and two rounds. The full clinical system involves 73 color patches across 7 panels, requires trained administration, and is rarely used online.
From the Research
"The claim that favourite colours reveal individuals' personalities is popular in the media yet lacks scientific support."
— Jonauskaite, D., Thalmayer, A. G., Muller, L., & Mohr, C. (2021). What Does Your Favourite Colour Say About Your Personality? Not Much. Personality Science, 2, e6297.
Braun & Bonta (1979) found low test-retest reliability and recommended pursuing other approaches.
Holmes et al. (1984) compared Luscher results with the MMPI and found little agreement between the two.
Holmes et al. (1986) showed that users rate vague color-based interpretations as highly accurate, even when they apply to almost anyone.
Picco & Dzindolet (1994) tested a specific Luscher prediction (warm colors linked to extraversion) and did not find support after controlling for relevant factors.
How we built this version
The original Luscher colors, shapes, texts, and scoring tables are legally protected by international copyright since 1947. We cannot reproduce the official instrument.
Instead, we built a research-inspired alternative that captures the same core interaction (rank 8 colors, twice) without using the proprietary colors or scoring system. Here is exactly what we did:
What we score: rank-order consistency across rounds, warm vs cool preference, chromatic vs achromatic preference. All framed as preference descriptions.
What we do not score: personality traits, clinical conditions, diagnostic flags, or anything from the proprietary interpretation tables. The evidence does not support those outputs in a self-assessment context.
From the Research
"Test-retest reliability estimates were low."
— Braun, C. M. J., & Bonta, J. L. (1979). Cross-cultural validity, reliability, and stimulus characteristics of the Luscher Color Test. Journal of Personality Assessment, 43(5), 459-460.
How this compares to other assessments
If you are looking for self-understanding, here is how this compares to validated instruments we also offer.
| Assessment | What it measures | Evidence strength | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| This tool | Color preference patterns, ranking consistency | Weak | Curiosity, self-reflection |
| Perceived Stress Test | Perceived stress levels | Strong | Stress awareness |
| Emotional Intelligence Test | Emotional awareness and regulation | Strong | Interpersonal growth |
| Character Strengths Test | Personal strengths and values | Strong | Self-understanding, career direction |
| Self-Esteem Scale | Global self-esteem | Strong | Self-perception |
Frequently asked questions
No. The official Lüscher Color Test uses proprietary color shades, scoring tables, and interpretation systems protected by international copyright since 1947. Our Color Preference Test uses custom hex colors, statistical scoring (Spearman rank correlation), and makes no personality or clinical claims. We are not affiliated with the Max Lüscher Foundation or Lüscher Color Diagnostic AG.
The scientific evidence is mixed to negative. Braun & Bonta (1979) found low test-retest reliability. Holmes et al. (1984) found little agreement between Lüscher results and the MMPI. Picco & Dzindolet (1994) found no support for the prediction that warm color preferences correlate with extraversion. More recently, Jonauskaite et al. (2021) concluded that "the claim that favourite colours reveal individuals' personalities lacks scientific support." Our version focuses on preference consistency rather than personality interpretation for this reason.
This test measures the consistency of your color preferences across two rounds (using Spearman rank correlation) and identifies descriptive patterns: whether you lean toward warm or cool colors, chromatic or achromatic, and primary or auxiliary colors. It does not measure personality traits, emotional states, or psychological conditions. Think of it as an interactive exercise in self-observation, not a diagnostic tool.
About this version of the Lüscher color test
This is an educational tool built by the Coached team. We are not affiliated with the Max Luscher Foundation or Luscher Color Diagnostic AG.
We use the general concept of an 8-color forced ranking with two rounds, as described in Luscher & Scott (1969). Our color hex values are our own (not the protected original shades). We do not use the official scoring tables, star/flag systems, or interpretive text. Our scoring is limited to Spearman rank correlation and simple descriptive indices.
This assessment does not measure personality traits, clinical conditions, or health status. It should not be used for employment decisions, counseling, or medical purposes. If you have concerns about your mental health, please speak with a qualified professional.
Colors on screens vary by device, calibration, ambient lighting, and software filters (night mode, f.lux, etc.). The colors you see here may look different from what another person sees on a different device. This is an inherent limitation of any color-based web tool, and it means results should be treated as approximate and informal.