How to Remember the Colors of the Rainbow

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: October 7, 2022 References

Some people have a hard time remembering the colors of the rainbow. However, a few simple memory tricks can help you better remember the colors. If you need to remember the colors for a test or quiz, mnemonic devices and other means of memorization can come in handy. You should also work on memorizing when you're energized and refreshed as this will help you remember better.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Using Mnemonic Devices Involving Letters

1
Try Roy G Biv. Try to remember the name of an imaginary person called Roy G. Biv. The letters in this name correspond to the order of the colors of the rainbow. The letters break down like this:^{[1]
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- R stands for Red
- O stands for Orange
- Y stands for Yellow
- G stands for Green
- B stands for Blue
- I stands for Indigo
- V stands for Violet.
2
Use the Richard of York Device. If you struggle to remember Roy G. Biv, try remembering the sentence "Richard Of York Gave Battle In Vain." The first letter of each word in the sentence corresponds to a color of a rainbow. Try repeating this sentence to yourself if you're struggling to remember the rainbow's colors.^{[2]
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3
Invent your own mnemonic device. If you have trouble remembering established mnemonic devices, try inventing your own. A mnemonic device that's reflects your personal interests may be more meaningful to you than other devices. Pick a sentence that where the first words starts with R, the second starts with O, the third starts with Y, and so on.^{[3]
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- For example, if you're interested in video games you can use the phrase "Really Offensive YouTube Games Built Into Videos."

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Trying Other Means

1
Use your visual memory. If you establish a visual memory linked to the colors of the rainbow, this can help. If you're a more visual learner by nature, a visual memory may help you remember the colors of the rainbow. Try to think of a distinct image associated with each color.^{[4]
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- For example, as red is the first color of the rainbow, try imaging a group of runners in a race. The runner with red hair can be finishing first.
- If you need to remember orange is followed by yellow, you can imagine an orange cat being followed by a lighter, yellow cat.
- Keep going through the colors of the rainbow, creating visual associations for each color.
2
Write out the colors. Simple repetition is often key to memory. Try getting a pen and paper and writing down the colors of the rainbow over and over again. This will help you commit the colors to memory.^{[5]
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- Pay attention while you're writing as this will be most effective. As you write down the colors of the rainbow, say the colors to yourself and be aware of what you're writing.
3
Memorize the colors in chunks. It can be hard to memorize information all at once. If you're struggling to remember all the colors of the rainbow, break it into chunks. For example, you can remember red, orange, yellow. From there, try to remember blue, green, indigo, and violet.^{[6]
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- If you prefer, you can also do smaller chunks. For example, remember red and orange, then blue and indigo, and so on.
- You can use other memory techniques to remember your chunks. For example, you can think of a mnemonic device for "red, orange, yellow" or try writing these words down over and over again.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Memorizing Effectively

1
Try to foster an interest in the colors of the rainbow. You're likely to better remember information that interests you. If you're trying to remember the colors of a rainbow for a test, try reading up on rainbows. Learn about how a rainbow is formed, how long they last, what conditions can cause a rainbow, and so forth. If you're interested in rainbows, it may be more interesting to remember the colors of the rainbow.^{[7]
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2
Study the colors in the afternoon. Some studies suggest people study more effectively in the afternoon. Even if you see yourself as strictly a morning or night person, try studying in the afternoon if you're struggling. You may find you will recall the colors better.^{[8]
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3
Get enough sleep. If you're memorizing the colors of the rainbow for a test, get enough sleep in the days leading up to the test. Quality sleep can affect your memory and concentration.^{[9]
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Research source} In addition to helping you remember the colors of the rainbow, solid sleep can help you recall other information for your test as well.^{[10]
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Community Q&A

Question

How do I remember Roy G. Biv?

Community Answer

Imagine it as the name of someone. Roy as the first name, G. as the middle initial, Biv as the last name. You could also make up a funny acrostic poem for the letters, like: Reports of you giving bananas in Venice.
Question

How do I memorise primary and secondary colours?

Arya Anandwade

Community Answer

Remember that with primary colors (red, blue, yellow) you can make any other color in the rainbow. And that secondary (orange, green, purple) colors are the colors that you can make from primary colors.
Question

Are purple and indigo the same color?

Ruby

Top Answerer

No. Indigo is more of a purplish dark blue, rather than just purple.