Optical Illusion Challenge: How Many Faces Can You Spot in This Image?
Get ready to test your eyes — and your brain. An optical illusion that’s been taking the internet by storm has viewers asking one deceptively simple question: How many faces can you spot in this image?
At first glance, the black-and-white sketch appears to show a serene scene — a tree with sprawling branches, nestled between hills, possibly a house in the background. But look a little closer, and suddenly, the image begins to shift. Eyes seem to blink out from the bark. Noses form out of shadows. Before you know it, what once looked like leaves or rocks suddenly become part of hidden faces staring right back at you.
That’s the magic of optical illusions — they force our brains to do a double take.
This particular illusion has sparked heated debate on social media. Some users claim they see 4 faces, while others insist there are 10, 12, or even 16 cleverly hidden within the image. On platforms like Reddit and Instagram, users are circling what they believe are eyes, lips, and chins, comparing notes and arguing over whether certain “faces” actually count.
“Depends on if we’re talking full faces or partial profiles,” one commenter wrote.
“I saw 9 at first, but then I blinked and suddenly found 13,” another said. “This is messing with my head.”
So what’s really going on here?
According to neuroscientists, illusions like this one take advantage of a concept known as pareidolia — the brain’s tendency to recognize familiar patterns, especially faces, in random or abstract images. It’s the same phenomenon that makes us see animals in clouds or a man on the moon.
“Our brains are wired to detect faces faster than any other object,” explains Dr. Leanne Roberts, a cognitive psychologist at NYU. “It’s a survival mechanism. But sometimes, it kicks in too well, and we start seeing faces where none were intentionally drawn — or where they were hidden on purpose.”
In this case, the artist — whose work has been circulating online since the early 2000s — deliberately constructed the image using natural elements like tree limbs, rocks, and shadows to form facial outlines. Some are glaringly obvious, while others require time, patience, and a bit of imagination to detect.
But is there a definitive number?
According to the original artist’s notes (yes, they finally surfaced), there are 11 full faces hidden in the image — ranging from clear front-facing portraits to subtle side profiles. A few half-faces and optical tricks were also added to mislead the viewer, making the illusion even more complex.
So, if you spotted 7, 9, or 13 — you’re not wrong. You’re just part of the fun.
Ready to try it yourself? Take a long look. Count every shape, shadow, and swirl. Then ask your friends and family — and see how wildly your answers vary.
After all, it’s not just about how many faces are in the picture. It’s about how many you can see.
And that’s the true power of an illusion.
