What period colours usually mean
Most period blood changes colour over the days of a period, as flow speeds up and slows down. Slower blood has more time to oxidise and darken.
- Bright red: fresh, steady flow, usually on heavier days.
- Dark red: blood that has pooled for a while, such as overnight.
- Brown or black: older blood, often at the very start or end. Read more about why period blood turns brown.
- Pink or orange: blood mixed with cervical fluid, usually on light days.
- Grey: not a typical period colour, and it should be checked by a clinician.
When to get it checked
Speak to a clinician about grey discharge, bleeding between periods or during pregnancy, a bad smell, fever, itching or pain, and clots larger than about 2.5cm. If you see black discharge and may have a forgotten tampon or cup, get seen promptly.
Getting a clearer reading
- Use daylight if you can. Warm indoor lights can make colours look more orange or brown.
- Use a pale background. A white pad, liner or tissue gives the tool a neutral area around the stain.
- Tap the part that best represents the colour. Avoid shadows, and the pale edges where blood has spread out.
- Trust your eyes. If the suggestion looks wrong, correct it. Your choice is the one that’s saved.
What gets saved
Your browser holds the photo in memory only long enough to read its colour. When you save, only the colour’s name goes into your log on this device. You can see how colours change across your period in the period tracker, which makes a change easier to notice and describe.