# What Color Is This? — Instant Color ID

> Instant color identification with values, library matching, and vision simulation. (iPhone/iPad app by Nicholas Troia.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-color-is-this/id638700067 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Nicholas Troia](https://appshunter.io/developer/638700210)
- Category: Productivity, Utilities
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.06/5 from 33 App Store ratings · 60 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.1 · 38 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2013-04-26
- Data updated: 2026-08-27
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-color-is-this/id638700067/reviews.md

## What is What Color Is This??

Identify any color instantly. Point your camera and get the color name, HEX, RGB, and HSL values. Pick colors from sliders, photos, and live video. Find nearest matches and search 25+ libraries (Pantone, RAL, Crayola, Faber‑Castell, etc) for interesting names. The interface and main color library are translated into 9 languages. You can also simulate common color‑vision deficiencies on your photos.

Built for:

Color vision deficiency
Students and creators
Designers and pros

Features:

Live camera color identifier
Closest match with Delta E distance
HEX, RGB, and HSL color codes with previews
25+ color libraries including Pantone, RAL, Crayola, Faber‑Castell, etc.
Save palettes, bookmark colors, export codes
Simulate color vision deficiencies with image filters
Translated interface and colors to 9 languages

## Key features

- Live camera color identification
- HEX, RGB, and HSL color codes
- 25+ color libraries (Pantone, RAL, Crayola)
- Closest color match with Delta E
- Color vision deficiency simulation
- Save palettes and export codes

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Enable All Libraries | $1.99 | one-time |


## Recent user reviews (10 of 60)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/what-color-is-this/id638700067/reviews.md

### 1/5 — 🤔

*2025-08-26, version 4.2.2*

Does not accurately read the colour at all!!

### 5/5 — Good for colorblind, okay for normal people

*2025-08-23, version 4.2.2*

(My issue was resolved) I am red-green colorblind and have struggled determining colors even after getting CVD lenses for my glasses. This app is a great help for me when no one with normal vision is around, however the colors are more of a ballpark and some patterns can confuse it as it averages colors from a square. This is especially bad with TV or computer screens. It also uses odd words for colors like “tomato” and “burnt sienna” very often.

### 4/5 — This app has healed.

*2025-07-08, version 4.1.0*

I used to use this a lot mainly for Crayola, I paid for it. But then it was taken away and locked behind a subscription. I was enraged, furious if you will. Recently I have noticed… CRAYOLA IS FREE! This app is healing! Thank you very much for making the one thing I used it for, and actually paid a one time payment for a long time ago, available free again! Also the web app doesn’t work you should probably look into that… Also please bring back the ability to see more similar colors and how similar (in %) they are. Thanks again!

### 4/5 — Good for colorblind, okay for normal people

*2025-02-18*

I am red-green colorblind and have struggled determining colors even after getting CVD lenses for my glasses. This app is a great help for me when no one with normal vision is around, however the colors are more of a ballpark and some patterns can confuse it as it averages colors from a square. This is especially bad with TV or computer screens. It also uses odd words for colors like “tomato” and “burnt sienna” very often. 

All in all it’s useful even if it has its flaws.

**Developer response:** Thanks for the review. Give the default "What color" library a try for more common color names

### 5/5 — Still don’t know what color it is

*2024-12-17, version 4.0.1*

Brilliant. Works great and lots of fun

### 1/5 — Not what I hoped for

*2024-12-10, version 4.0.1*

I hoped it would help me identify the color of socks, pants, etc. (especially between black and navy). Unfortunately it can’t tell any better than I can. Mostly it says grey.

### 4/5 — Good enough for most people

*2024-09-01*

I’m not a color expert and don’t need super accurate hues and such. If I was I wouldn’t be using a free app on my phone anyway. So just know that this will get you what you need and it’s an app not a professional tool. Works great. Good job devs. Helped settle some arguments with the SO.

### 5/5 — Indispensable if your color blind!!!!

*2024-08-18, version 4.0.1*

Saved me so many times from wearing clothes that don’t match or don’t go together.  Thank you !!!

### 2/5 — They Changed

*2024-07-25, version 4.0.1*

The app used to be completely free to use. They updated it about a month ago and now you have to pay to use half of the features they had before.

### 2/5 — WHY IS IT SUBSCRIPTION NOW!?

*2024-07-02, version 4.0.0*

Why did you make it a subscription I wish I had version 3 back! Add Lego color library please also!

## Frequently asked questions about What Color Is This?

### What does the What Color Is This? app do?

This app allows you to instantly identify any color by pointing your camera at it. It provides the color name, HEX, RGB, and HSL values. You can also pick colors from photos, live video, and find the closest matches within over 25 extensive color libraries.

### What are the key features of What Color Is This?

Key features include live camera color identification, precise HEX, RGB, and HSL color codes with previews, and the ability to find the closest match using Delta E distance. It also supports over 25 color libraries like Pantone and Crayola, allows saving palettes, and offers color vision deficiency simulation.

### How much does What Color Is This? cost?

The app is free to download and offers in-app purchases. While the core functionality is available for free, certain advanced features or library access might require a purchase.

### Who would benefit from using What Color Is This?

This app is built for a variety of users, including those with color vision deficiencies who can use the simulation tools, students and creators needing to identify colors for projects, and professional designers who require precise color information and library matching.

### Can I use this app to identify colors from my photos?

Yes, you can pick colors not only from your live camera feed but also from existing photos and saved videos. The app will analyze the image and provide you with the color details and potential matches from its extensive libraries.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.3.0 — 2025-09-18

Bug fixes and performance improvements
Improved translations
Updated build tools

### 4.2.3 — 2025-08-27

Added new color deficiency filters
Performance improvements and bug fixes

### 4.2.2 — 2025-08-04

Added new language translations
Bug fixes

### 4.2.1 — 2025-08-03

Improved build tools and bug fixes

### 4.2.0 — 2025-07-13

Improved library switching
Added library preview mode
Added library favorites
Added more free libraries!

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| --- | --- | --- | --- |
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## Related topics

[what color](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/what-color) · [color in simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/color-in-simulator) · [what color is this](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/what-color-is-this) · [camera color picker plus](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/camera-color-picker-plus) · [color code finder](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/color-code-finder) · [pantone connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/pantone-connect) · [color name ar](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/color-name-ar)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-27.*