How to Learn the Colors of the Rainbow
A rainbow always shows its seven colours in the same order, and one famous name — ROY G. BIV — locks it in for life. This short deck teaches the order plus the colour-theory basics (primary, secondary, complementary) that art class builds on.
There are 12 cards in the deck below. You can read through them, practise them right here with the flip-card player, and then save the deck to study properly with spaced repetition — the method that makes them stick for months, not minutes.
Why the colours of the rainbow is hard to memorize (and the fix)
The only tricky part is indigo, the "extra" colour most people forget sits between blue and violet. The ROYGBIV name solves that instantly.
The fix is active recall plus spaced repetition. Instead of re-reading the list (which feels productive but barely works), you test yourself — pull each answer out of memory — and you review each card on a schedule that stretches over time. Every time you successfully recall a fact, the memory gets stronger and the next review is pushed further out. That's how you go from "I saw it once" to "I just know it."
The fastest way to learn the colours of the rainbow
- Break it into small batches. Learn the seven-colour order first with ROYGBIV, then add the primary/secondary colour facts.
- Test, don't re-read. Look at the question, say the answer out loud before flipping the card. The little struggle to recall is what builds the memory — a smooth re-read does almost nothing.
- Review on a schedule. Spaced repetition shows you each card right before you'd forget it. Get one right and it comes back in a few days, then a week, then a month. Miss one and it comes back sooner.
- Keep sessions short and daily. Five to ten minutes a day beats a two-hour cram every time. Consistency is the whole game.
One fact per card. Note there are two "primary colour" systems: paint/pigment (red, yellow, blue) and light (red, green, blue).
The full deck: the Colors of the Rainbow
Here's every card in the set. Practise them above, or save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews automatically.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What are the 7 colours of the rainbow in order? | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet (ROYGBIV) |
| What does the mnemonic ROYGBIV stand for? | Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet |
| Which colour is on the outer edge of a rainbow? | Red |
| Which colour is on the inner edge of a rainbow? | Violet |
| Which colour sits between blue and violet? | Indigo |
| What are the three primary colours (paint)? | Red, yellow, and blue |
| What are the three primary colours of light? | Red, green, and blue (RGB) |
| What are the secondary colours (paint)? | Orange, green, and purple |
| Red and yellow mixed make…? | Orange |
| Blue and yellow mixed make…? | Green |
| What is the complementary colour of red? | Green |
| What causes a rainbow? | Sunlight refracting and dispersing in water droplets |
Save this deck and actually remember it
Create a free account, keep this 12-card deck, and we'll schedule every review at the perfect moment. First deck free forever — no credit card.
Study this deck free →FAQ: learning the colours of the rainbow
How long does it take to learn the colours of the rainbow?
Most people can lock in the colours of the rainbow within one to three weeks of short daily sessions. With spaced repetition doing 10–12 cards a day, you'll recognise them within days and recall them reliably within a couple of weeks.
What's the best way to memorize the colours of the rainbow?
Active recall plus spaced repetition. Test yourself instead of re-reading, and review on a schedule that spaces the cards out over time. Flashcards are built for exactly this — which is why the deck above is the fastest path.
Is this deck free?
Yes. You can practise all 12 cards on this page for free with no account. Sign up (also free) to save the deck and let spaced repetition schedule your reviews so it sticks long-term.