FarnsworthMunsell

The Farnsworth–Munsell color tests are a family of standardized assessments designed to measure hue discrimination and the ability to order colors. Grounded in the Munsell color system, the tests provide a quantitative evaluation of color vision that helps identify congenital and acquired color deficiencies and supports occupational screening and color science research.

Common forms include the D-15 Hue Test and the FM 100 Hue Test. In both, the subject arranges colored caps or discs in order of hue. The tests yield a numerical score based on how closely the participant's sequence matches a reference order. The FM 100, in particular, provides a total error score and pattern analyses that can reveal specific hue confusions.

Administration is conducted under standardized lighting, with careful handling of the color caps. Results are interpreted against normative data to classify the type and severity of color vision differences. The tests can help distinguish normal variation from red–green or blue–yellow deficiencies and can detect subtle color discrimination losses due to injury, disease, or medication.

History and usage: Introduced in the mid-20th century as part of color vision testing, the Farnsworth–Munsell tests have remained widely used, and digital versions and expanded norm data have increased accessibility for clinics, researchers, and industry professionals.