{"id":1835,"date":"2023-06-14T10:37:09","date_gmt":"2023-06-14T14:37:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=1835"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:36","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:36","slug":"grey-eyes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/grey-eyes","title":{"rendered":"Grey Eyes: How Rare Are They?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without a doubt, grey eyes are one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/rarest-eye-color\">rarest eye colors<\/a> in the world. But just <em>how<\/em> rare are grey eyes? We can estimate that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aao.org\/eye-health\/tips-prevention\/your-blue-eyes-arent-really-blue\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">less than 1% of people in the U.S. have them<\/a>. Therefore, it\u2019s fair to say that the chances you\u2019ve seen natural grey eyes in person are incredibly slim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just remember: The prevalence of certain eye colors will vary depending on the region you\u2019re in and the source you\u2019re consulting. When it comes to global numbers, multiple internet sources estimate around 3% of people worldwide have grey eyes\u2014a rarity indeed! But not enough large-scale studies have been done to provide more accurate numbers. So, it\u2019s impossible to say <em>exactly<\/em> how many people have grey eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Curious to know more? Let\u2019s dive into more interesting tidbits about grey-colored eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Do Grey Eyes Look Like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just like other eye colors, grey eyes can vary in their appearance\u2014from lighter to darker shades. Grey eyes may have flecks of gold or green in them. And, similar to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/hazel-eyes\">hazel eyes<\/a>, it\u2019s possible to see variations in coloring. Blue-grey, green-grey, and even hazel-grey hues are possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grey Eyes vs. Blue Eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Grey eyes are often mistaken for light blue, but if you look close enough, you\u2019ll see that they are, in fact, different. Even the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC5729215\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">first eye color classification scale<\/a> (created back in 1843) included grey and blue as distinct eye colors. Blue-grey eyes may have areas of the iris that appear blue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Green vs. Grey Eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Green and grey are more noticeably different eye colors than blue and grey. But green-grey eyes <em>are<\/em> a thing. Some grey eyes may have areas of the iris that appear greenish, making this variation easily mistaken for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/green-eyes\">green eyes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .entry-content (split for inline block) -->\n\n<section class=\"wp-blocks__banner has-img white\">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/contact-lenses-cta.jpg\" alt=\"Want to go grey?\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks__banner-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Want to go grey?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Ask your eye doctor about colored contacts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks-banner__cta-links\" style=\"flex-wrap:wrap;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/appointments\/eye-exams\">Book an eye exam <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/contacts\/color\">Shop colored contacts <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><!-- (reopen for inline block) -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes Grey Eyes?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/blue-eyes\">blue eyes<\/a>, grey eyes have little to no melanin in the front layer of the iris (called the stroma). But grey eyes are said to have more collagen in their stroma than blue eyes, which plays a part in their difference in color. So, what does this all mean? Let\u2019s break it down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Melanin in Grey Eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Everyone\u2019s eyes contain melanin\u2014a brown pigment that can be found in skin, eyes, and hair. All eyes have a brown pigment in the back layer of the iris, but the front layer\u2019s pigmentation varies from person to person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The presence of melanin in the eye affects the amount of light entering and reflecting back out, which affects the appearance of the iris. Eyes with more melanin have a darker color, while eyes with less melanin have a lighter color. And again, grey-colored eyes have low amounts of melanin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Collagen in Grey Eyes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Collagen is a type of protein found in the iris, and it affects how light is scattered in the eye. Because grey eyes have higher amounts of collagen present, light scatters differently than it does in other eye colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div><!-- .entry-content (split for inline block) -->\n\n<section class=\"wp-blocks__banner has-img white\">\n\t\t\t<div>\n\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/contacts-and-glasses-cta.jpg\" alt=\"Do you have grey eyes?\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks__banner-img\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Do you have grey eyes?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t<p>Frame them in the right eyewear or keep them unobscured with contacts<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"wp-blocks-banner__cta-links\" style=\"flex-wrap:wrap;\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/eyeglasses\">Shop eyeglasses <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/contacts\">Shop contacts <svg id=\"aa495747-7767-4ea8-bc8e-3e09f9e2a480\" data-name=\"Layer 1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 5.5 9.5\"><path d=\"M5.49,4.61a.87.87,0,0,1,0,.32.73.73,0,0,1-.2.35l-4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,.22,8.22L3.69,4.75.22,1.28A.75.75,0,0,1,1.28.22l4,4A.75.75,0,0,1,5.49,4.61Z\" style=\"fill:#1050D0;fill-rule:evenodd\"\/><\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<div class=\"entry-content\"><!-- (reopen for inline block) -->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other Facts About Grey Eyes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are a few more interesting findings about grey eyes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.dukehealth.org\/blog\/myth-or-fact-people-light-eyes-are-more-sensitive-sunlight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">According to Duke Health<\/a>, people with grey eyes are more prone to photophobia (light sensitivity) because they are short on melanin.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/news.cuanschutz.edu\/news-stories\/eye-color-vitiligo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">According to research<\/a>, grey-eyed people (and those with other light eye colors) are less likely to have vitiligo\u2014a disease that causes a loss of pigmentation in the skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take Care of Your Eyes, No Matter Their Color<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Much like a person\u2019s fingerprints, no one has the exact same eye color as you. So whether they\u2019re grey or any other color, they\u2019re one of a kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that\u2019s all the more reason to ensure your eyes stay happy and healthy. If it\u2019s been <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/how-often-should-you-get-an-eye-exam\">a year or two<\/a>, reach out to your eye doctor and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/appointments\/eye-exams\/booking\">schedule an exam<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Without a doubt, grey eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world. But just how rare are grey eyes? We can estimate that less than 1% of people in the U.S. have them. Therefore, it\u2019s fair to say that the chances you\u2019ve seen natural grey eyes in person are incredibly slim. Just [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":1837,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1835","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-style"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How Rare Are Grey Eyes? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Grey eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world. Learn about color variances and what causes them.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/grey-eyes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Rare Are Grey Eyes? | Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Grey eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world. Learn about color variances and what causes them.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/grey-eyes\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Warby Parker\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-06-14T14:37:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-02T07:12:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/grey-eye.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1166\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1166\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Dr. Nikita Shah\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Dr. Nikita Shah\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"3 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"How Rare Are Grey Eyes? | Warby Parker","description":"Grey eyes are one of the rarest eye colors in the world. 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