Niddah Color Chart ~upd~ Jun 2026

Default to chumra (stringency) if it’s ambiguous, but ask a rabbi. Many shades of brown are considered tahor unless they clearly tend toward red.

Any shade of bright red , pink , or deep black is considered a Niddah color. These colors indicate active uterine bleeding or oxidized blood and usually do not require further consultation unless they occur under unique medical circumstances.

Understanding the Niddah Color Chart: A Guide to Halachic Color Discernment niddah color chart

In Jewish law, a serves as a guide to help women determine if vaginal discharge or stains render them in a state of niddah (ritual impurity). While historical Torah law recognized four specific shades of red and black, modern practice generally classifies any shade of red, pink, or black as problematic. Color Classifications

The Niddah Color Chart is an essential tool in the observance of Family Purity laws, serving as a visual guide to distinguish between prohibited blood colors and permissible discharges. While modern printed charts provide a useful reference, they are not infallible. The complexity of color perception and the severity of the Halachic implications mandate that ambiguous colors be evaluated by a trained Halachic authority rather than relying solely on self-assessment via a chart. Default to chumra (stringency) if it’s ambiguous, but

Some contemporary poskim permit high-quality color printing or apps, provided they are tested against a master original. However, screen variation makes most smartphone-based charts unreliable. Stick to physical strips kept in good condition (not faded).

According to the Mishnah (Niddah 2:6) and subsequent halachic discussions, only certain shades — primarily those resembling the colors of blood from specific sources — render a woman niddah . These colors indicate active uterine bleeding or oxidized

Stains matching these colors generally do not render a woman a Niddah (though they may require evaluation by a Rabbi if there is doubt):

The chart is a reference of standardized colors, traditionally ranging from deep red to pale yellow or beige. It allows a woman (or a posek, halachic authority) to determine whether a stain found on a bedikah cloth (examination cloth), undergarment, or other surface is tamei (ritually impure) or tahor (ritually pure).