The 7 Rarest Eye Colors in the World - And How to Recreate Them
What’s the rarest eye color in humans? While brown and blue are the most common, a few eye colors are so rare they only appear in 1–5% of the population. In this guide, we’ll break down the world’s rarest eye colors and how to match each one using natural-looking colored contact lenses even if you have dark eyes.
Visual Eye Color Ranking (Rarest to Most Common)
Explore the rarest human eye colors in the world — each paired with a real image and the percentage of people who have it.
Rare Eye Color Lens Match Chart
Ranked from rarest to most common — here are the best Otaku lenses to recreate rare natural eye colors. All lenses are high-opacity, natural-blending, and designed to work on both light and dark eyes.
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| Rank | Eye Color | % of Population | Otaku Lens Matches |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Heterochromia | <1% | Waterfall Blue + Ginger Brown |
| 2 | Violet | <1% | Iris Lavender + Waterfall Blue |
| 3 | Green | 2% | Romantic Green + Green Olive |
| 4 | Grey | 3% | Passion Pearl + Exotic Grey |
| 5 | Amber | 5% | Desire Honey + Pacific Grey |
| 6 | Hazel | 5% | Brown Bear + Green Olive |
| 7 | Blue | 8–10% | Honeymoon Ocean + Eurasian Blue |
Rarest Eye Colors Visual Chart
Ranked by global population
Heterochromia
<1%
Violet
<1%
Green
2%
Grey
3%
Amber
5%
Hazel
5%
Blue
8–10%
1. Heterochromia — <1% of the Population
Heterochromia is the rarest natural eye color trait in the world. Less than 1% of people have it — when one eye (or part of one eye) appears a different color from the other. This happens due to variations in melanin levels between or within the irises.
Ginger Brown + Honeymoon Ocean
There are three types of heterochromia:
- Complete Heterochromia: Each eye is a totally different color (e.g. one green, one brown).
- Sectoral Heterochromia: A portion of one iris is a different color.
- Central Heterochromia: Both eyes have a ring of another color around the pupil.
It can be genetic and appear at birth, or develop later due to trauma, inflammation, glaucoma, or conditions like Horner Syndrome and Sturge-Weber Syndrome. Despite how it looks, it’s usually harmless and simply adds a unique charm.
Celebrity spotlight: Kate Bosworth is famous for her striking heterochromia — one blue eye and one half-blue, half-hazel eye. Mila Kunis also has heterochromia; one of her eyes is green and the other is hazel-brown due to a condition called chronic iritis, which once affected her vision. Her contrasting eye tones have become one of her signature features.
2. Violet Eyes — <1% of the Population
Violet eyes are extremely rare and are typically seen in people with albinism. These eyes don’t contain violet pigment — instead, a lack of melanin allows light to reflect in a way that creates a purple-toned appearance, especially in certain lighting.
In some cases, violet eyes may appear blue, grey, or even red-tinged depending on lighting and surroundings. The rarity and mystery around violet eyes have made them iconic in pop culture and fantasy.
Celebrity connection: Actress Elizabeth Taylor was famous for having eyes that appeared violet under studio lights, although they were technically deep blue with strong red and blue light reflection.
Violet-colored contacts are a beautiful way to achieve this ethereal, otherworldly look — especially when paired with cool-toned makeup or icy lavender tones.
Iris Lavender + Waterfall Blue
3. Green Eyes — 2% of the Population
Green eyes are among the most captivating and rare — found in only 2% of the global population. They’re caused by a low level of melanin combined with the Rayleigh scattering of light, which gives the iris a soft green or golden tone.
Unlike hazel, green eyes are usually a single, consistent shade. They're most common in people of Celtic and Northern European ancestry, but they appear in other populations too.
Symbolism & beauty: Green eyes have long been associated with mystery, enchantment, and vitality. They’re often the focus of poems and fantasy characters for their intense, hypnotic look.
4. Grey Eyes — 3% of the Population
Grey eyes are both subtle and mesmerizing, appearing silvery, icy blue, or even smoky depending on the lighting. Around 3% of the population has true grey eyes, which have even less melanin than blue eyes and more collagen in the iris.
They’re most common in Eastern Europe and Northern regions, and are often mistaken for blue. What makes them unique is their ability to shift color — appearing silver in daylight and slate-toned at night.
Fun fact: Grey eyes are considered a neutral base, making them perfect for bold makeup looks or cool-toned lenses that enhance dimension.
5. Amber Eyes — 5% of the Population
Amber eyes are known for their golden, copper, or honey-colored glow. Unlike hazel eyes, which have flecks of multiple colors, amber eyes are typically a solid, rich tone caused by higher levels of lipochrome (a yellow pigment).
They’re rare and most commonly found in South America and parts of Asia. Amber eyes give off a warm, feline energy that instantly stands out in both daylight and photos.
Style tip: Amber-toned contacts look especially radiant against olive and warm skin tones.
6. Hazel Eyes — 5% of the Population
Hazel eyes are a beautiful mix of green, brown, and gold — shifting in color depending on lighting and what you’re wearing. Around 5% of the population has hazel eyes, and they often contain multicolored flecks or radiating streaks.
This color is often confused with amber, but hazel has more variation and depth. It's also one of the most adaptable eye colors when it comes to styling.
Learn more: Why Hazel Eyes Are Rare & Beautiful →
7. Blue Eyes — 8–10% of the Population
Blue eyes are often romanticized — but they’re still relatively rare, found in only about 8–10% of the world. They result from a lack of melanin and rely on light scattering to produce that icy, clear appearance.
From icy steel to bright baby blues, they vary by lighting, genetics, and even mood. Blue eyes are more common in people of European ancestry and tend to appear lighter in younger people.
Want more inspo? Check out our blog on Best Colored Contacts for Dark Eyes →
Honeymoon Ocean + Eurasian Blue
Try a Rare Eye Color for Yourself
Explore our Otaku collection — designed to replicate the world’s rarest eye colors with seamless blending, high coverage, and all-day comfort.
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FAQs: Rare Eye Colors
What are the rarest eye colors?
Heterochromia and violet eyes are considered the rarest, followed by green, grey, and amber. Each occurs in less than 5% of the population.
Are violet or purple eyes real?
Yes — violet eyes can occur in people with albinism when light reflects in a certain way. They’re extremely rare and often look purple in certain lighting.
Can I get rare eye colors with contact lenses?
Absolutely. Our Otaku lenses are high-opacity and designed to mimic rare eye colors while looking completely natural — even on dark brown eyes.
What are the best lenses for dark eyes?
Look for colored contacts with full coverage and multi-layer designs like Otaku Green Olive, Passion Pearl, or Iris Lavender — all made to show true color on dark irises.
Which rare eye color is most attractive?
Green and grey eyes often rank highest in beauty polls, but personal preference varies. Luckily, with colored contacts, you can try them all.
What are the top 3 rarest eye colors?
Excluding special cases like heterochromia and albinism-related violet or red eyes, the rarest natural eye colors are green, grey, and amber. If you include those special cases, heterochromia, violet/red, and green are the top three.
Is grey the rarest eye color?
No — green eyes are considered rarer. Green occurs in about 2% of the population, while grey occurs in about 3%, based on sources like WorldAtlas and Wikipedia.
Do purple eyes exist?
Yes, but they are extremely rare. Purple or violet eyes are usually seen in people with albinism. They can also be achieved with purple-toned colored contacts like Otaku Iris Lavender.
Are there black eyes in the world?
True black eyes do not exist. What appears as black is usually very dark brown — the most common eye color globally. The darkness often makes it difficult to distinguish the iris from the pupil.