Relationships between soil color patterns and depth and duration of water tables were studied using piezometers in nine soil hydrosequences. A color index was developed to quantify matrix color, size and color of mottles, and continuity and color of clay films. The color index correlated well with duration of saturation in soils developed from 10YR parent materials. A modified color index was more strongly correlated to duration of saturation in soils developed from 5YR parent materials. Neither index was related to duration of saturation in Spodosols. The presence of hematite in soils developed from red parent materials caused these soils to be less gray than would be predicted from landscape position and piezometer data. Color patterns in Spodosols were more related to differences in eluviation and illuviation rather than duration of saturation. Common redox concentrations in uppermost horizons with redoximorphic features are indications of water saturation in sandy soils.