How does the hair color scanner work?

An AI model separates your hair from your face and background. The scanner then skips the brightest highlights and darkest shadows and measures the color in between, which is close to how a colorist reads your mid-lengths.

What are hair color levels?

A 1–10 scale colorists use for lightness: 1 is black, 2–5 are browns from darkest to light, and 6–10 are blondes from dark to lightest. See the hair color chart above.

Is my hair dark blonde or light brown?

That's the line between level 5 (light brown) and level 6 (dark blonde). If your roots look more beige than chocolate in daylight, you're a 6. The identifier places you on that scale.

How do I know if my hair is warm or cool?

Hold white paper next to your hair in daylight. Gold, copper or red reflections mean warm; a smoky, ashy or slightly green cast means cool; a bit of both means neutral.

Why does my hair look different in photos?

Indoor bulbs add yellow, phone cameras smooth and brighten, and highlights reflect light. For the most accurate reading, use daylight, no filter, and a photo where your hair is in focus.

Can it identify gray or dyed hair?

Yes, it reads whatever color your hair is in the photo, including dyed and vivid shades. Silver and gray can be confused with ash blonde in strong light, so check your roots as well.

What hair color would suit me?

Start from your level and tone: shades within two levels of your natural color look most natural and are easiest to maintain.

Is my photo uploaded?

No. The hair color identifier runs in your browser. Your photo is only sent to us if you choose to try on a new color, and then it's used only to generate your result.

Can I see myself with a different hair color?

Yes. Pick any of 136 shades in the widget and tap Generate. Your first color try-on is free.

What Color Is My Hair? Free Hair Color Identifier

Not sure if your hair is dark blonde or light brown, ash or golden? Upload a photo and the hair color identifier finds your hair, reads its true color and places it on the 1–10 hair color chart that colorists use. Then try new shades on your own photo. The analysis runs in your browser, so your photo isn't uploaded.

4.7/5 from 320,000+ usersFree, no sign-upPhoto stays on your device

Upload a photo of your hairDaylight, no filter, hair clearly visible · JPG or PNG

How it works

The identifier finds the hair in your photo, ignores the brightest highlights and deepest shadows, and measures the color in between. You get your level from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde), your tone, and the closest of our 136 salon shades.

1 · Black10 · Lightest blonde

Best results: natural daylight, no beauty filter, hair down and in focus.

Try a New Hair Color on Your Photo

Now you know your starting point, see what's next. Pick any of 136 salon shades and preview it on your own hair.

Colorist reference

Hair Color Chart: The 10 Hair Color Levels

Colorists describe natural hair by its level, from 1 (black) to 10 (lightest blonde). Knowing yours tells you how far a new color is from where you start.

Level 1: Black

The deepest natural color. Looks blue-black or soft black in daylight with no visible brown.

Level 2: Darkest Brown

Reads black indoors but shows deep brown in sunlight.

Level 3: Dark Brown

Rich, dark chocolate brown with no red or gold showing indoors.

Level 4: Medium Brown

A clear, mid brown with no blonde in it.

Level 5: Light Brown

Soft brown that can look dark blonde at the ends or in summer.

Level 6: Dark Blonde

Beige to mousy blonde, often called dirty blonde.

Level 7: Medium Blonde

Clearly blonde, golden or beige, with depth at the roots.

Level 8: Light Blonde

Bright, sunny blonde. Few adults keep this naturally.

Level 9: Very Light Blonde

Pale blonde, close to the color of straw.

Level 10: Lightest Blonde

Platinum, almost white. Natural in children, usually lightened in adults.

Is My Hair Warm, Cool or Neutral?

Level tells you how light or dark your hair is; tone tells you its color. Two people at level 6 can look completely different.

Warm Hair

Golden, caramel, honey or copper reflections. Warm hair looks richer in sunlight and turns brassy when it fades.

Cool Hair

Ashy, smoky or pearly, with no gold. Cool hair can look flat in low light and is often described as mousy.

Neutral Hair

A balance of both: beige rather than gold or ash. Neutral hair is the easiest to take warmer or cooler with color.

How to Find Your Natural Hair Color Without a Scanner

The same checks a colorist does at the start of an appointment.

1Look at your roots. The first inch from your scalp is your natural color. Lengths are often lighter from sun or old color.
2Use daylight. Stand by a window, not under warm bulbs, which make every shade look more golden.
3Hold up white paper. Against white, red and gold undertones jump out, and so does an ashy, greenish cast.
4Compare with the chart. Hold a strand next to the level swatches above and pick the closest; if you're between two, choose the darker.
5Check the regrowth after coloring. If you color your hair, a few weeks of regrowth will show your true level.
6Ask your colorist for your level. They'll write it as a number, often with a tone: 6.3 means level 6, golden.

What Color Is My Hair? FAQ

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