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how rare is it to have two different colored eyes

People with two different colored eyes have a condition called heterochromia , and it’s pretty rare. A commonly cited estimate is that about 6 out of every 1,000 people have some form of it, while complete heterochromia is much rarer at about 6 out of every 10,000 people.

Quick Scoop

Heterochromia can mean:

  • One eye is a different color from the other.
  • One iris has two different colors.
  • Only part of one iris is different.

Most cases are harmless and genetic, though it can also happen after an injury or because of certain medical conditions.

How rare it feels

In everyday life, it stands out because most people have matching eye colors. So even though it’s uncommon, it’s not so rare that it’s unheard of.

When to pay attention

If someone’s eye color changes later in life, that can be worth checking with an eye doctor, since a new color change can sometimes point to an underlying issue.

TL;DR: Two different colored eyes are rare, but not extremely rare — roughly 0.6% for some form of heterochromia, and around 0.06% for complete heterochromia.