Whether you’re new to personality testing or not, you may have heard about a color personality test that has recently taken TikTok by storm. While this version of the color personality test is having a moment, they actually are nothing new. Several variations have emerged over the years, and the concept is pretty similar to other personality tests in that the color test can give you a ton of insight into who you are, how you think, and your personal strengths. 

What is the color personality test?

The color personality test – in whatever form – seeks to break down test-takers into four groups of colors, which each represent a different preference of personality and outlook. For example, the viral TikTok version from the Korean website KTestOne asks 12 questions before sorting you into a color group. Once you’ve finished taking the test, you’ll discover more about your personality, or at the least, you’ll read a profile that makes you feel both seen and justified. 

Much of the color personality tests are based on ideas developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung. And because many personality theories are based on Jung’s work, you may find a lot of overlap when comparing the color personality test to those like the 16-type system, which also began with Jung as a starting point.

You’ll benefit from the color personality test no matter where you are in your personal growth journey. If you aren’t experienced in personality theory, it’s a more straightforward start, thanks to its simplistic approach.

How do color personality tests work?

The color personality test will vary by questions and colors depending on where you’re taking it.  However, the main idea is based on four quadrants in Jung’s type theory: Introvert versus Extravert and Thinking versus Feeling. So, you might end up with something like this:

Blue representing Introverted Thinking -- people who think first, act later and are analytical, detail oriented and precise. 

Green representing Introverted Feeling -- people who place a greater emphasis on relationships and supporting others and who feel anxious when their values are compromised.

Yellow representing Extraverted Feeling  -- people who enjoy engaging and interacting with others, and who thrive in new situations

Red representing Extraverted Thinking -- people who are very driven and goal oriented. 

If you’re familiar with the 16-type system, you’ll already recognize the different personality preferences and their meaning. 

Do color personality tests use the same colors?

Most color personality tests use four primary colors like red, blue, green, and yellow. However, some other tests include less obvious color choices, such as the KTestOne’s 12 colors, including my color personality results—Alice Blue. In its brief personality description, this test highlighted quite a few of my key traits—sensitivity, emotionality, introversion, empathy, my love of planning, perfectionistic tendencies, what I would deem the “INFJ door slam,” and a love for deep conversations. 

The KTestOne option may be based on Don Lowry’s 1978 True Colors personality system, but what surprised me most about this specific color test was its alignment with the 16-type system.

Take a look at the URL at the top of your color personality test results. You’ll notice some familiar letters: a combination of E, N, S, T, J, and F. These stand for Extroverted, iNtuitive, Sensing, Thinking, Judging, and Feeling, the preferences of the 16-type system

My result, Alice Blue, said “INFJ,” which is my personality type.

Using a color personality test as an example

When searching for color personality tests, you’ll find a ton of options to sift through. If you're going for a more traditional style color personality test, you may find something like the option at 365 tests (which claims to be based on the Big 5 Personality Test) or the TrueColors Test is an excellent place to start. These options use four colors—Blue, Orange, Gold, and Green. 

Taking the TrueColors test, you need to answer about 30 questions. When I took the test, I got Blue, the color known most for being compassionate. Blues also require close relationships and harmony and are strong caretakers, communicators, and peacemakers with a love for people, fine arts, and friendships. 

The other colors of the TrueColors test include the energetic, charming Orange, the organized and precise Gold, and the analytic and visionary Green.

Similarly, your color personality type will provide you with your main personality traits, much like other tests. But it will give a more straightforward, digestible description rather than a lengthy explanation of your strengths and weaknesses. 

How the color personality test relates to the TypeFinder 

While relatively simplistic,  the color personality test shares similarities with the Typefinder 16-type test and the Typefinder Temperaments test.

The TypeFinder Temperaments test is based on the work of David Keirsey and Isabel Biggs Myers and shows you which “temperament” you are. By taking a short quiz, you can learn a lot about how you function independently and in social situations. My TypeFinder Temperament Test results were an “Empath.” This type is very much associated with the INFJ, as well as other Feeling types like the INFP, the ENFP, and the ENFJ. 

While the color personality test offers a quicker description, you’ll probably find it aligns with your results on other personality tests. 

For example, the 16-type system gave me way more insight into how I function since it goes into a lot of detail about traits and how they interact with each other. Meanwhile, the color personality test gave me a good overview of my empathetic, compassionate traits -- making for a prevailing theme. To my surprise, each of the results affirms the same major traits.

Although it may not be the same result for every test taker, it’s not uncommon to find your results of the color personality test to be similar to other tests, and it’s a great starting point if you’re new to personality testing.

Why take the color personality test?

Like taking any personality test, the color personality test may reaffirm beliefs about yourself or open your eyes to your strengths and help you view yourself in a new light. If you’re interested in personality testing for personal growth purposes, you’ll find endless benefits from taking tests -- including any credible test -- because they’re a great exposure method. They open you up to learning more about yourself. 

After you’ve taken the color personality test, you may find yourself curious about the 16-type system or other options like the Big 5 test. These more in-depth tests will give you a deeper look into your preferences and behaviors. 

Summing it up

The color personality test exists in many forms, and whichever you begin with is a nice springboard for starting your personal growth journey. But even if you’ve been familiar with tests like the 16-type system for years, you might find taking a new personality test refreshing. The color-based options can reaffirm beliefs about yourself, giving you a confidence boost and a renewed sense of purpose for both bettering yourself and staying true to who you are.

Cianna Garrison
Cianna Garrison holds a B.A. in English from Arizona State University and works as a freelance writer. She fell in love with psychology and personality type theory back in 2011. Since then, she has enjoyed continually learning about the 16 personality types. As an INFJ, she lives for the creative arts, and even when she isn’t working, she’s probably still writing.