Urine Colour Chart: Know What’s Normal and When to Seek Help

How often do you peek into the toilet after peeing? Chances are that it is a rare occurrence. Yet, understanding urine colour provides an easy window into how your kidneys function. 

Actually, urine gets a natural yellow colour from a pigment called urochrome, the pigment formed from the breakdown of haemoglobin. If there are certain conditions or diseases, the appearance may change to a different shade or colour.

If you’re curious about what’s the correct colour of urine, how to understand your urine colour, and when you should be concerned, we’ve got all the answers. 

With this urine colour chart, we will take you through common colours you might notice so that you have all the information needed to understand your body.

What Determines Urine Colour?

Depending on the following factors, you may witness urine in different shades of yellow or even different colour as well:  

• Hydration level: If you are well-hydrated, then the urine will be clear to light yellowish in colour. But the dehydrated body produces darker yellow or slightly orange urine. 

• Diet and supplements: Certain foods contain natural pigments that pass through the kidneys, leading to coloured urine. Similarly, supplements also comprise high concentrations of certain compounds, which lead to a change in colour. Common examples include beets, carrots, and B vitamins. 

• Medications: The dyes or chemical by-products from medicines like antibiotics, laxatives, and chemotherapy drugs also influence the urine colour. 

• Underlying medical conditions: Sometimes, a change in urine colour can be a direct indicator of an underlying health condition. It includes liver disease, kidney issues, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) or diabetes.

• Exercise: Intense exercises may lead to dehydration or may result in rhabdomyolysis. It is a serious condition marked by the breakdown of overworked muscles that can cause a dark brown colour to urine. 

Normal Urine Colours And Their Meanings

Before we discuss what is considered an abnormal colour of urine, it’s important to understand what normal urine colour looks like.

While there is no correct colour of urine, most doctors agree that pale yellow is usually an indicator of a healthy body. This is because it indicates normal levels of the chemical urochrome, which gives urine its yellow colour.

There can be variations in the yellow colour of urine. Here is what each of them indicates: 

Clear/Transparent urine: It means overhydration, i.e., you are drinking a lot of water. The excess fluid intake leads to electrolyte dilution, which can further result in low blood sodium and cause symptoms like muscle cramps, headaches and confusion. Clear urine without overhydration may imply cirrhosis or viral hepatitis and requires immediate medical evaluation.  

Pale Yellow: Light yellow or amber colour is the ideal urine colour that indicates the body is well-hydrated. 

Dark Yellow: This shade of urine indicates the body is suffering from mild dehydration. Drinking more water is recommended. 

Neon/Bright Yellow: This colour is often the result of excess vitamin B or supplement intake. The metabolism of ingested vitamins results in the colour and is not associated with anything alarming about your body. 

As a rule of thumb, always remember to hydrate well, especially if you suffer from conditions such as incontinence.

Abnormal Colours of Urine and Possible Causes

Some of the major abnormal colours in urine that you should be aware of include -

1. Amber Colour Urine

Causes of Amber Colour Urine

Amber colour urine can be caused due to dehydration. The low water content in your urine gives way to high levels of urochrome. Urochrome is the pigment that gives colour to urine. So, deviation from yellow colour urine indicates changes in water level in your body.

Impact of Diet

Foods containing beta carotene pigment, such as carrots, can cause amber colour urine. Foods rich in vitamin C can also affect urine colour. Too much salt in your food can cause your body to dehydrate and cause amber urine.

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should seek medical advice if your urine remains amber-coloured for several days. Even after drinking sufficient water, if the colour doesn’t change, it’s best to get it checked.

2. Orange Colour Urine

Causes of Orange Colour Urine

Severe dehydration can give urine an orange appearance. Also, bile duct issues can lead to orange-coloured dark urine. When bile cannot properly flow from the liver to the small intestine due to inflamed or blocked bile ducts, a yellowish substance builds up and gives urine an orange tint.

Dietary Influences

Food items containing beta-carotene, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, and apricots, can contribute to an orange colour in urine.

Medication Effects

The following medications can make your urine look orange in colour:

• Phenazopyridine used for the treatment of UTI

• Laxatives containing senna herb

• Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) which is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug

• Certain chemotherapy medicines for cancer treatment

When to Seek Medical Advice

You should seek medical advice if you notice symptoms of jaundice along with persistent orange urine. These symptoms include yellow tints in the eyes and skin.

Remember, this urine colour guide is just for reference. Only a professional healthcare provider can diagnose the exact cause of orange urine.

3. Brown Colour Urine

Causes of Brown Colour Urine

If you notice a brown colour in your urine, it could be due to liver issues, extreme dehydration, or even the presence of small amounts of blood.

Health Risks

Brown colour urine itself is not a risk to your health, but it could indicate an underlying condition. It could be something serious, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms such as:

• Pain or burning sensation during urination

• Frequent urination

• Fatigue

• Abdominal pain

When to Seek Medical Advice

The dark urine causes mentioned above are worth looking into as they may indicate some serious health conditions. If left untreated, it could lead to life-threatening issues in the future.

4. Red/Pink Colour Urine

Causes of Red Colour Urine

In most cases, red colour urine is usually caused by consuming food items such as beets and blackberries or certain medications. Fresh blood in urine could also give it a red or pink colour. The causes of blood in urine could be anything from kidney stones to internal injuries. Prostate issues are a common cause of blood in the urine of males, and period blood mixing with urine is a common cause of blood in the urine of females.

Health Risks

Injuries and medical conditions like kidney stones can also cause your urine to turn red or pink. This colour is usually seen because there’s blood in urine. This is an early symptom of some types of cancers.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If you are sure the blood in your urine is not due to periods, seek medical advice immediately. Red or pink urine caused by blood is often concerning and should not be ignored.

5. Blue/Green Colour Urine

Causes of Blue/Green Colour Urine

Urine which is blue or green in colour is quite rare and not a cause of concern. Certain medications or dyes usually cause it. Those include the following:

• Propofol, which is a sedative

• Amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant

• Indomethacin, which is an anti-inflammatory drug

Health Risks

In rare cases, blue or green urine can indicate bacterial infections. If left untreated, these infections could spread throughout the body and lead to complications.

When to Seek Medical Advice

You must immediately consult a doctor if you see blue or green urine even once. If you have recently started any medications that have blue/green urine as a side effect, your doctor will let you know. If not, it’s necessary to determine the underlying condition before it gets worse.

6. Cloudy Urine

Causes of Cloudy Urine

When high levels of white blood cells are present in your body, it can cause your urine to appear cloudy. In the case of males, if semen is mixed with urine, it could have a cloudy appearance. Additionally, dehydration, kidney stones (mineral particles) and phosphaturia (excess phosphate crystals) can cause cloudiness in urine. 

Health Risks

Cloudy urine usually indicates the presence of an Urinary Tract Infection. These usually resolve with medications. But if you let the symptoms worsen without getting proper treatment, it could lead to a more severe infection.

When to Seek Medical Advice

If cloudy urine is accompanied by symptoms such as itching, pain, or irritation while urinating, you should visit a doctor to check for UTI or other infections.

7. Foamy or Frothy Urine 

Causes of Foamy/Frothy Urine

Urine can be accompanied by extra bubbles if there is a high concentration of protein. The condition is referred to as proteinuria and signifies kidney damage or chronic kidney disease (CKD). 

Besides, amyloidosis (mutation in body proteins), retrograde ejaculation (semen reaches the bladder rather than ejection through the penis), and UTI medications can result in foamy or frothy urine. Or simply dehydration may also cause bubbles in urine. 

Health Risks

Proteinuria, which results in foamy urine, is an indicator of an impact on the kidney’s filtration system. This condition, in turn, may be caused by diabetes, lupus or any other health problem affecting other systems in the body. 

When to Seek Medical Advice

Foamy or frothy urine needs medical attention if: 

• Foam is seen for many days or worsens with time

• Swelling in feet or hands 

• Puffiness around the eyes

• Nausea and vomiting 

• Extreme fatigue after rest 

• Loss of appetite 

• Change in urine colour to cloudy, dark or bloody 

We have summarised these points in a pee colour chart below, which you can refer to for quick reading.

Understanding these abnormal colours in urine becomes even more important if you suffer from urinary problems such as incontinence. Using quality dry pants such as the Friends Premium Adult Dry Pants during the day and the Friends Overnight Diaper Pants at night can help you manage these health issues and monitor your urine colour.

Urine Colour Chart

If you are monitoring your urine colour to assess your health, here is a quick urine colour chart to consult -

Apart from these colour variations, certain conditions can cause foamy urine, too. To understand what this means, you can refer to this blog post.

Also Read in Hindi: https://friendsdiaper.in/blogs/healthy-habits/यूरिन-कलर-चार्ट-इन्फेक्शन

Tips for Maintaining Healthy Urine Colour 

The key to ensuring healthy urine colour lies in the focus on overall health. Make a habit to follow the points mentioned below to keep the body, kidney and urinary tract fit: 

• Drink 8–10 glasses of water daily

• Monitor urine colour regularly as a hydration check

• Limit caffeine and alcohol (diuretics that cause dehydration)

• Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables

• Ensure regular physical activity 

• Avoid controlling the urge to urinate 

• Always empty the bladder 

• Avoid excessive supplements (especially B vitamins)

• See a doctor if an unusual colour persists for more than 2–3 days

Who Is More Prone to Abnormal Urine Colour?

A healthy body is unlikely to have an underlying medical condition for abnormal urine colour. However, more consideration is essential for certain individuals to ensure timely and proper treatment that prevents the condition from worsening. Here are the individuals who must be vigilant about their urine colour and associated problems: 

• Elderly adults: More prone to dehydration and medication side effects

• Diabetics: Remain at a higher risk due to fluctuations in blood sugar

• People on multiple medications: Drug breakdown and subsequent interactions within the body affect their urine colour

• Pregnant women: Face significant hormonal changes and also have a higher risk of UTI 

• Athletes/fitness enthusiasts: Prone to dehydration, and they also use supplements 

Conclusion

This urine colour chart makes monitoring your hydration levels and overall health easier than ever. While some colours can be quite normal, others can be a sign of health problems. Using this chart as a guide, you can keep track of your body and reach out to a doctor with your concerns.

FAQs

1. What colour of urine is unhealthy?

Any urine colour other than transparent, pale yellow, and slightly darker yellow may be considered unhealthy. It’s always best to contact a doctor if you feel concerned.

2. What colours indicate problems in urine?

Urine that is amber, brown, orange, or red in colour can indicate certain health issues. Cloudy urine can also point towards an infection.

3. What are some bad signs in urine?

While our urine colour chart might help you spot warning signs, there are several other red flags you should watch out for. Some other signs of poor health you can observe in your urine include foam, foul odour, and sudden increase/decrease in frequency.

4. What colour is diabetic urine?

Diabetic urine does not have a specific colour to indicate the presence of the disease. However, since diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to break down sugar, it can cause sweet-smelling urine in patients. Moreover, as frequent urination is another symptom of diabetes, patients may have urine that is dark yellow or amber due to dehydration.

5. Is clear urine good?

Clear or transparent urine is usually an indication of overhydration. While this is not necessarily bad, be mindful of your fluid consumption, as excess water in the body can dilute electrolytes in extreme circumstances.

6. What does kidney failure urine look like?

In case of kidney failure, the urine is more likely to look red, brown or very dark amber. However, the presence of such colours is not a direct indicator of kidney failure. Medical intervention is recommended for an accurate diagnosis. 

7. What colour is urine in kidney disease stages?

In stage 1 kidney disease, urine is generally normal, i.e, pale yellow to clear in colour. The stage 2 kidney disease can be evaluated by foamy or frothy urine. If the urine is dark amber, red or pink in colour or is associated with foam, then it may indicate stage 3 kidney disease. 

8. Why is my urine bright/neon yellow?

The bright or neon yellow urine colour is often the result of excess vitamin B, multivitamins or supplement intake. It is generally harmless and temporary. Also, mostly it is not associated with any medical issue. 

9. How do I maintain the proper colour of my urine?

To ensure proper urine colour, the first task is to take care of your body. Remain hydrated, balance the fluid intake, eat a nutritious diet, remain physically active and pay attention to the signals your body gives you.