Also described as: heterochromia iridum, two different coloured eyes
The two irises are different overall colours from one another — for example one brown and one blue — rather than one iris containing two colours. This is the pattern most people mean by 'different coloured eyes', and it is distinct from the central and sectoral patterns, which occur within a single iris.
one eye, illustrative
An illustrative approximation of one iris only — the defining feature is the difference between the two eyes, which a single swatch cannot show.
the other eye, illustrative
An illustrative approximation of the other iris only — shown as a pair because the pattern is a relationship between two eyes.
Each iris carries its own undertone; the pairing is what defines the category rather than any single tone.
How great the difference between the eyes is — from a clearly different colour to a difference only obvious in good light.
The difference between the eyes can appear larger or smaller depending on the light, particularly where one iris is lightly pigmented and therefore more light-responsive than the other.
Especially unreliable. Two eyes are rarely lit identically in a photograph, so an apparent difference in an image is weak evidence either way.
Heterochromia is considered uncommon overall, but exactly how uncommon depends heavily on which patterns (complete, central, sectoral) a given study counts.
Reported prevalence for heterochromia depends heavily on study definition — whether subtle central/sectoral cases are counted alongside complete heterochromia substantially changes the figure. No single percentage is stated here for this reason.
Styling ideas below are optional and editorial — never rules, and never a claim that one colour choice is objectively correct for anyone.
No advertising is shown on this page — it discusses when a change in eye appearance can warrant professional assessment, and Colourwise never places an ad beside that guidance.
Confidence: medium. Geographic scope: No reliable geographic breakdown is available.