Interactive demonstration of three classic colour contrast illusions. Simultaneous lightness contrast: the same grey patch appears lighter on a dark background and darker on a light background. Mach bands: bright and dark stripes appear at gradient step boundaries that don't physically exist. Checker shadow: two squares with identical RGB values appear as dramatically different shades due to their surrounding context and shadow cues.

← Perception

Colour Contrast Illusions ♟️

UK
Simultaneous Contrast
Both grey squares are exactly rgb(120,120,120). The left looks lighter because its surroundings are dark; the right looks darker on the white background.

"Lateral inhibition in retinal ganglion cells: neighbouring cells suppress each other, sharpening perceived contrast at every edge."
Illusion