Pee Color Chart

The standard color of urine is referred to as “urochrome.” Urine color, odor, and consistency reflect your health and lifestyle. Urine color is also an indication of health issues that you might not know of. Urine is 95% water; the remaining is a complex brew that includes chloride, urea, creatinine, and other inorganic and organic compounds.

The natural yellow color results from urobilin, which is generated from the breakdown of old red blood cells. Urine has a natural yellow color close to transparent when a person is hydrated. If you are dehydrated, the color changes to a dark brown.

Darker pigments in the urine may represent the pigments in the food, drink, or medicine you had. If you are wondering what the color of my pee means, then our pee color chart will tell you all you need to know.

nhs pee or urine color chart and meaning

Normal Urine Color Chart

Urine color is also essential in assessing whether you are consuming enough water. The more fluids you drink, the clearer your urine; pale yellow to clear is a healthy urine color and a sign of good health.

A dark yellow urine color means that you should increase fluids in your diet. The female urine color chart and men’s urine color chart have the same indications as the standard chart below.

Consult the NHS urine color chart below to know more about your health. We summarize the various urine colors in the form of a printable urine color chart that you can carry with you when traveling.

Urine Color Chart And Meaning

Color Food related causeMedical related cause
Pale yellowIdeal diet No problem 
Dark yellowLess fluids in dietDehydration
Dark brownCarrots or carrot juiceProblems with liver or bile duct
Dehydration
PinkBlackberries
Beets
Rhubarb
Infection in the bladder or kidney
Tumor
Internal injury
RedBlack berries
Beets
Rhubarb
Hematuria
Internal injury
Tumor
Kidney stone
GreenAsparagus
Medication
Food dyes
Urinary tract infection (UTI) caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Dyes in medical tests
BlueMedication
Food dyes
Blue diaper syndrome
Dyes in medical tests
Black Food dyesMelanuria
MilkyAnchovies
Herring
Red meat
Sexually transmitted infection (STI) UTI
Kidney stones
Vaginitis
Prostatitis

Pale yellow to light yellow color: A pale, light, odorless and plentiful urine reflects that you are well hydrated, but it is still essential to keep drinking. 

Darker color: A slightly dark yellow urine indicates that you need to drink more water.

Darker urine color): Dark brown concentrated, smelling urine in small amounts reflects that you are seriously dehydrated so have a bottle of water. A darker color may also appear after a workout, or it can also indicate kidney stones.

Pink: The food you eat can also change the color of your urine; for example, when you eat blueberries, rhubarb, or beets, you may notice a pinkish hue in your urine. 

Red: This is a sign of blood in the urine called hematuria and can also be a sign of a kidney stone, tumor, or infection. There are so many possibilities, and you should immediately visit a physician.

Green: Green urine can be a sign of a bacterial infection. Eating asparagus, some medications, and food dyes can also have the same effect on urine color.

Blue: A rare metabolic disorder known as hypercalcemia (blue diaper syndrome) can cause this. Some food dyes and medication can also have the same effect.

Dark brown or black: Eating large amounts of fava beans, aloe and rhubarb can cause this. Some medication also darkens the urine, but it’s nothing to worry about. However, if you are experiencing blackish urine called Melania, it may indicate phenol poisoning, and you should visit a doctor immediately.

Milky: Overconsumption of minerals like calcium or phosphate and urinary tract infection may cause milky urine color.

Dehydration Urine Color Chart

Human urine color is pale yellow which indicates you’re hydrated. The darker the color gets, the more concentrated it becomes, indicating dehydration. If you are experiencing a darker color, then you should immediately hydrate.

The darker the color, the more you should consume water and other fluids. When dehydrated, avoid alcoholic beverages to hydrate as they may affect your kidneys. For urine test color results, consult the chart below.

Color Indication
Clear to pale yellowWell hydrated
Light/ transparent yellowIdeally hydration level
Darker yellowYou should hydrate 
A cloudier yellowYou should to hydrate
Medium dark yellowNeed more fluids
Amber colorDehydrated
Orange/yellow Very dehydrated
Red/brownSeriously dehydrated

Also read: Stool Color Chart

Pregnancy Urine Color Chart

A home urine test is what breaks down most women about their pregnancies. If you notice blood in urine, it should be worrisome, and immediately visit your doctor. In pregnancy, the urine may look cloudy, get a strong odor, and, in some cases, may even have a tinge of blood.

All these are signs of UTI as per the ACOG. Pregnant women need to hydrate more than usual; if urine is darker and more concentrated, this may indicate dehydration. For more information, consult the pee color scale below.

Urine ColorRepresentation
Dark yellowDehydration
BrownDehydrationVitamins and iron supplements
RedImplantation bleedingVaginal bleedingPap smearInfection
CloudyUTIDehydration

Kidney Failure Urine Color Chart

Kidney failure occurs when the kidneys stop removing waste, excess fluids, minerals, and other wastes from the blood.

When harmful products remain in the body, it changes the appearance of the urine and its frequency. Look at the clues below to determine whether you are suffering from kidney failure.

SymptomsRepresentation
Dark brownKidney failure
Kidney diseases
Buildup of waste products
RedBuildup of waste products
PurpleBuildup of waste products
Urinating lessKidney failure
Foaming Protein buildup
Kidney failure
FrizzingProtein buildup
Kidney failure

Diabetes Urine Color Chart

Diabetes is a disease in which the body doesn’t make enough insulin, resulting in high blood sugar. Kidneys filter out the excess sugar through urine. Urine color and smell can indicate diabetes, so look closely for the following symptoms.

SymptomIndication
Dark yellowDehydration
Sugar buildup
CloudyPresence of sugar buildup
Sweet smell or fruityPresence of sugar buildup
Urinating oftenPresence of sugar buildup

FAQs

What Colour pee should I worry about?

A yellow to dark yellow color is standard, but a dark orange and brown would mean you are dehydrated. If you are experiencing dark brown, red, black, blue, or milky pee, you should worry as it’s an abnormal color and an ominous sign of health.

What color is abnormal pee?

Men’s urine color ranges from pale to dark yellow and is healthy and normal; you need to continue hydrating as you do. However, dark brown, red, blue, black, or milky are all abnormal pee colors. The abnormal pee colors usually indicate diseases, so it’s wise to visit a doctor if you experience any.

Conclusion

Mariam Shor says that eating good food is life’s greatest joy. You can avoid diabetes, kidney diseases, and others if you use good eating habits and drink plenty of water.

Remember to hydrate yourself on a hot day and stay indoors. However, consult our pee color chart above if you notice any abnormal urine coloring.