Eye color is one of the most visible genetic traits we inherit from our parents. Behind every shade of brown, hazel, green, blue or grey there is a specific combination of genes that determines how much melanin is stored in the iris and how light scatters inside the eye. On this page you will find an up-to-date eye color chart, an overview of the main genes involved, and simple explanations of how eye color is passed from parents to children.The content below is for informational and genetic purposes only. It explains how natural eye colors are formed and how they may change over time in healthy eyes.

Eye Color Chart: From Dark Brown to Light Grey

When you look at an eye color chart, you will usually see a smooth spectrum rather than a few rigid categories. The darkest eyes contain the highest amount of melanin in the iris, while the lightest eyes have much less pigment. Most people fall somewhere between these extremes. A practical way to group natural eye colors is:

• Very dark brown – almost black in indoor light.
• Medium and light brown – common worldwide, with warm golden tones.
• Hazel – a mix of brown with green or amber, often with a ring pattern.
• Green – intermediate pigment level with a combination of yellow and blue light scattering.
• Blue – low melanin in the front iris layers, light scatters and appears blue.
• Grey – very low pigment, light scattering and collagen structure create a cool grey tone.
• Amber and other rare colors – golden or copper tones due to specific pigment combinations.

Many eyes are not a single uniform color. It is common to see a darker outer ring (the limbal ring), a slightly different tone around the pupil, or tiny brown or golden spots within green or blue irises. These variations are normal and are usually explained by local differences in pigment density.

How Genetics Determines Eye Color

Eye color is a polygenic trait, which means it is influenced by many genes working together rather than a single “brown” or “blue” gene. The best-studied region lies on chromosome 15 and involves two neighboring genes, OCA2 and HERC2. Variants in these genes regulate how much melanin is produced and stored in the iris stroma. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}In simple terms:

• Certain variants in the HERC2 gene reduce the activity of OCA2. This leads to less melanin and a higher chance of blue or light-colored eyes.
• Other variants allow stronger OCA2 activity, which increases melanin and makes brown eyes more likely.
• Additional genes (such as SLC24A4, TYR, IRF4 and others) fine-tune the final shade, helping to create intermediate colors like hazel and green.

Because many genes are involved, it is more accurate to think of eye color as a spectrum controlled by multiple switches rather than as a simple “brown is dominant, blue is recessive” scheme. Modern genetic studies show that there are dozens of variants contributing to eye color, and together they can explain a large part of the differences between individuals and populations. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}For a more technical explanation, you can read the overview on MedlinePlus Genetics: Is eye color determined by genetics?

Baby Eye Color Prediction

One of the most frequent questions parents ask is whether they can predict their baby’s future eye color. Traditionally, simple eye color charts tried to estimate the probability based on the parents’ eye colors alone. While these charts are useful for education, they are only rough approximations, because they do not include the full genetic background.In general, the following tendencies are often observed:

• Two brown-eyed parents are more likely to have a child with brown or hazel eyes, but green or even blue eyes are still possible.
• If one parent has brown eyes and the other has blue or green eyes, the baby’s eye color can be brown, hazel, green or blue, depending on which variants are inherited.
• Two blue-eyed parents usually have children with blue eyes, but rare gene combinations can still produce green or hazel.

Newborn eye color is also affected by age. Many babies of European descent are born with gray-blue or dark blue eyes. Over the first two to three years of life, melanin accumulates in the iris and the eyes may gradually become green, hazel or brown. In babies with darker genetic background, the eyes are often brown from the beginning and change less over time.

Why Do Eye Colors Change Over Time?

Small changes in eye color can occur naturally as part of growth and aging. During childhood, melanin production can increase and make the eyes look darker. In some people the opposite happens: tiny variations in the collagen structure and the distribution of pigment can make the iris appear slightly lighter or more grey with age.Certain medical conditions and medications can also alter eye color by affecting melanin metabolism or the iris tissue. Any sudden, asymmetrical or rapid change in eye color—especially if accompanied by visual symptoms, pain or redness—should be evaluated by an ophthalmologist.

Common Eye Colors Explained

Brown Eyes

Brown is the most prevalent eye color worldwide. Brown eyes contain a high concentration of melanin in the iris, which absorbs more light and gives a dark, warm appearance. The shade can range from light honey brown to very dark near-black.

Hazel Eyes

Hazel eyes combine elements of brown, green and sometimes amber. Under some lighting conditions they may look more green; in other situations they appear more brown. This effect is caused by uneven melanin distribution and light scattering, not by separate “layers” of color.

Green Eyes

Green eyes are relatively rare in the global population. They usually occur when moderate amounts of melanin are combined with yellowish pigments and light scattering within the stroma of the iris. Several genetic variants must work together to create this intermediate color, which is why it is less common than pure brown or blue. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}

Blue and Grey Eyes

Blue and grey eyes contain less melanin in the front layers of the iris. Instead of pigment, it is the way light scatters in the collagen fibers that produces the final color, a phenomenon similar to the blue appearance of the sky. Blue eyes tend to have warmer inner tones, while grey eyes often look cooler and more neutral, especially in low light.

Amber and Other Rare Colors

Amber eyes show a uniform golden, copper or honey tone caused by different ratios of melanin and other pigments. Red or very light violet eyes are typically associated with conditions such as albinism, where there is a significant reduction in pigment in the iris and retina.

Eye Color Percentages by Region

The distribution of eye colors varies widely between populations. Northern and Central European countries have higher proportions of blue, green and grey eyes, while darker brown eyes are more common in many parts of Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Some regions show a large mix of different colors because of historical migration and genetic diversity.

Region (example)	Brown	Hazel / Green	Blue / Grey
Northern Europe	20–30%	20–25%	50–60%
Southern Europe	60–80%	10–20%	10–20%
Middle East	80–90%	5–10%	5–10%
Global average	~75%	~10–15%	~8–10%

These values are approximate and can vary between studies, but they highlight an important point: truly light eyes are still a minority on a global scale, and rare colors such as pure green, amber or silver-grey are even less frequent.