What’s Your Color IQ? A Fun Pantone Paint Color Quiz
By Kylie
November 22, 2024
How Well Do You See Color?
I was browsing through Facebook the other day and came across a post about a Colour IQ Test, so of course, I had to take it. I scored 0, which, unlike the other types of IQ tests I’ve taken, bodes well for my ego.
How long does it take? Just a few minutes.
What’s the point?
You’ll discover how well you see undertones. They (whoever ‘they’ are) state that ‘1 out of 12 men have some sort of color deficiency’, and I have to agree with them. I’m amazed at the number of times I’ve been to a client’s house and said to the main man, ‘What do you think?‘ and he says, ‘Don’t bother asking me; I’m color blind.‘ Enough said.
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I only wish this test included details on what it meant if you were ‘within a certain range of numbers’. So, just so you have some guidelines on which to base your number, here’s how I classify things…
0-10 Color Genius
11-30 I may not hire you to help me pick colors, but I still like you
31-50 One of your eyes might be slightly crossed from the other (which I can make fun of as I was born this way)
51-70 Are your socks even matching?
70+ Would you like a straw and funnel with that wine bottle?
Like Tim (my hubby), this is just for eye candy…
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So, all of that being said, let’s get on to the test—I’d love to hear about your results, and they better not be better than mine!
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ORIGINALLY WRITTEN IN 2016, UPDATED IN 2024
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Meet Kylie
Do you need help, but aren’t quite sure what ‘help’ looks like? Are you drowning in paint samples and decision fatigue?
Does every color you like at the paint store look terrible in your lighting or pick up a funky undertone? I’d love to help.
Hi, I’m Kylie
For over 24 years I’ve helped 12,000+ homeowners and renters make more confident decisions on paint colors and affordable home updates using real home examples and practical, experience-based advice. My goal is simple: help you love the home you have.
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Homeowner’s Guide: White Kitchen Cabinets
This isn’t another ’10 Best Cabinet Colors’ list, because there is no SINGLE best white for every home and every kitchen.
Learn how to choose a white cabinet paint color that works with your countertops, backsplash, flooring, trim, lighting, and home—so you can rule out the wrong whites, sample fewer colors, and choose with confidence.
158-page PDF – Instant Download
$34.95Accent Colors – And How to Use Them
This isn’t about plastering your home in the ‘Color of the Year’ or following the latest trends (unless you really want to).
It’s about finding accent colors that work with YOUR home, YOUR style, and YOUR comfort level.
Because the best accent color isn’t one you love on a paint chip, it’s one that makes everything around it look better.
118-Page PDF – Instant Download
$34.95
Homeowner’s Guide: Exterior Paint Colors
Painting your home’s exterior is a BIG investment and choosing a color based on a tiny paint chip, a trend or the house down the street can be an expensive mistake.
Learn how to look at YOUR roof, YOUR windows, YOUR brick (or stone) and YOUR home as a whole so you can understand what colors make sense.
The goal? Less guessing, fewer samples and a lot more confidence before gallons of paint go on your home.
206-page PDF – Digital Download
$44.95Exterior Trim Paint Colors
This isn’t a list of ‘the best trim colors’, although you’ll get a ton of links to great shades!
You’ll learn how to look at your home and understand whether it needs contrast, repetition, connection, or a little visual peacekeeping to pull it all together.
Because trim might seem like a small detail…but spread it around all four sides of your home on multiple surfaces and it suddenly has a pretty big job.
118-page PDF – Instant Download
$24.95
Comments
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I scored a 0 – woot, woot! I’ll take it.
I have got to send you the before and after pics of the bedroom paint colors you suggested in my signature color consultation. It turned out dreamy! People I’ve shown it to have been floored! It went from being my least favorite, to most favorite room in the house. Planning on another consultation soon!
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YESSSSS, I would so love to see it!!
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Wow ! I have corneal and retinal issues and was SHOCKED to get 0. I’m 66 years old .. I wonder why they ask for age of test taker ? Gender I can understand.. loved choosing paint colours
Last spring for my house interior. I’m definitely a Sherwin Williams girl. Loved all your videos Kylie. As a Canadian living in California now I got a kick that you are from BC. I’m from Montreal originally and lived in Toronto for a few years. Visit Vancouver as often as we can. It’s our favourite west coast destination.-
Yay, Canadian girl! I wonder if how you see colors changes with age? I know my Mom just got surgery for her cataracts and how she sees colors TOTALLY changed – she said she sees a bit more violet hues.
And I’m so happy to hear you’re from lovely Canada – it is a beautiful place to live and visit 🙂
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Hi Kylie,
I agree with Andrea. I scored a 0. That didn’t really surprise me, I can always see what a huge mistake I’ve made, after the room is finished! Thank goodness for you and your color reviews. Once I narrow it down to a few picks, I always look to your color reviews before making a final decision. Thank you for sharing all of your hard work and research with us. You’ve been a real lifesaver! -
Woo hoo! I can still see color at 77! 0 score!
Today spent working with color with my five-year-old grandson – what joy…-
Look at you go, girl! And what a joy, indeed :).
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2
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That’s pretty darn good!
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Hi Kylie,
I scored a 2. I’ve learned so much from you about undertones, and my mother was an artist, so I’ve always been fascinated by color. Now I’m married to an artist, so I’m going to forward him this test and see if I can beat him. 😉
I love your blog and have used your advice often. This was fun!-
Cool, eh?
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Fun! I scored a 6 at 5:30 am, a very dark 5:30 am in the south. I am going to try again this afternoon in full sun to see if I score differently.
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I scored a 0!! Still can’t get away from using dull colors though…but at least I don’t tire of them!!
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I am like Dana! How can I be a 0, when I don’t trust my judgement when selecting paint colours!
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Well, it shows how you can see things, it’s just a matter of connecting these with your finishes – comparing samples is the best way to pick colors!
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I got a 0! That’s the first time I was ever happy to have a 0. 🙂
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WAHOOOOOOO!
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I scored “0”. By the 2nd line I started to focus on one end. It was easier to discriminate the hue when they were sandwiched between contrasting hues. Very interesting.
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It’s fun, isn’t it? It just shows how IMPORTANT comparison is! By comparing colors next to each shade, you can see the changes!
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At 74 years scored a 0. Makes me feel good, but drives my family crazy when decorating.
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I scored 0. When do I start my job????
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Scored a 4. I’m in my 60’s. I still want to see color undertones like you do Kylie.
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Sounds like you’re doing GREAT!
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I scored a “0” which simply confirms why my first boyfriend called me a PITA and my ex-husband called me a “nit picky princess” when we were house hunting & I noticed the living room wall was bowed & there was a hairline crack from the ceiling to the floor. LOL. Oh, going it solo is so much fun! 🙂
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THANK YOU, someone else who uses the term PITA – love it! And ye, there are worse things than being detail oriented :).
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I got a 4. Totally shocked, but actually not surprised,since I an\m very detail oriented.
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I scored a 0. Yay!
I’ve been reading your blog and watching your color review videos. I just ordered my first batch (20) of peel and stick color samples. Before placing the order, I went over the color samples with my husband. He said some of them look the same to him and to just paint the wall. 😂 I told him it doesn’t work that way. Thank you for all of your articles and videos. I have looked for paint color information at many sites; you are the best!-
Well, thank you, Robin! 🙂
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I don’t think it was clear exactly what you wanted, are we supposed to put all the same colors together side-by-side, go by darker to lighter etc.? it was hard to find the actual test
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Oh, I haven’t heard of anyone else having a problem! Maybe your privacy settings are restricting it?
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Color genius here! Retired Interior Designer, 77 yrs young
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Ok tried again, mid afternoon sunny day down here scored a 0. Different lightings do make a difference.
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