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Best optical illusions: 20 mind-bending images you won't be able to wrap your brain around

Arrrghh! Our heads hurt. Everyone loves a good optical illusion, but sometimes they're just so damn tricky and trippy that all they do is wind us up and turn our minds to mush.

But optical illusions aren't all colourful swirls and mind-melting spirographs. Sometimes everyday snaps and seemingly innocuous images feature some hidden secrets. That's where this lot come in, the best optical illusions to hit the web in recent months. Take a deep breath, prepare yourself and click on to give your mind a thorough working out.

By Luke Johnson
Optical Illusion
BSIP//Getty Images
1

Are these woman's legs on backwards or is she double jointed?

Woman in gym, legs backwards

Clue: We think Photoshop may have a lot to answer for.

2

Crotch shot or upside down bed?

Facebook headboard post
Facebook

Clue: Try turning the image the other way up?

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3

Are these flip flops black/blue or white/gold?

Black/blue vs white/gold flip flops
@naosejatrouxa//Twitter

Clue: Your eyes could make you see it differently to others.

4

Are these legs shiny or covered in paint?

Shiny legs or white paint viral image
@leonardhoespams//Instagram

Clue: DIY disasters can make viral hits.

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5

Is this person reading or getting naughty?

Optical illusion reading
Imgur/Mattster092

Clue: Get your head out of the gutter.

6

Is this a sponge or a slice of bread?

Toast or sponge Twitter query
@craigstone_//Twitter

Clue: We wouldn't recommend eating it.

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7

Can you spot the tortoise on the rug?

Spot the tortoise
Reddit/TillLambsBecomeLions

Clue: Look below the bag.

8

Can you spot the mystery item in the wall?

Wall cigar illusion
<a href=\https://www.facebook.com/Bevvoo/posts/487921018070478\">Aaron Bevin</a>"//Facebook

Clue: There's a cigar hidden in there somewhere.

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9

Can you spot all the dots at once?

optical illusion
<a href=\https://twitter.com/wkerslake/status/775105333333204992\">Will Kerslake</a>"//Twitter

Clue: There are 12 to find.

10

Who's crying Bill Murray or Tom Hanks?

Tom Hanks or Bill Murray
Laura DiMichele-Ross//Facebook

Need a clue? Who you gonna call?

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11

Wait, what?! Who's hugging who?

Who's hugging who illusion
<a href=\http://imgur.com/JDssSme\">Imgur/JDssSme</a>"

Clue: It's not a really tiny man.

12

Can you find the phone on the floor?

Mobile phone illusion
<a href=\https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1206861482666022&set=a.306390016046511.78216.100000265452917&type=3\">Jeya May Cruz</a>"//Facebook

Clue: The phone's in a floral case.

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13

Can you work out what's wrong with Adele's face?

Upside down Adele illusion
Instagram/<a href=\https://www.instagram.com/p/BCTG2TWy2PL/?hl=en\"">TheShadeRoomInc</a>"""" XL Recordings

Clue: Try turning your phone upside down.

14

Which colour matches the shoe? The answer might surprise you

Shoe colour illusion tweet
<a href=\https://twitter.com/totallymendes/status/618898681912279041\">@totallymendes</a>"//Twitter

Clue: The light can be deceiving.

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15

How many girls are in this photo?

Girls in the mirror illusion
<a href=\https://www.instagram.com/p/BCoJDlSIIIx/\">@tizzia</a>"//Instagram

Clue: It's less than you think.

16

Which orange dot is bigger?

Dots optical illusion
Wikimedia Commons

Clue: Or are they the same size?

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17

What colour are the hearts?

Optical illusion hearts
BiteSizePsych

Clue: They're all the same colour, really.

18

Is the cat going up or down the stairs?

Cat stairs optical illusion
<a href=\http://imgur.com/gallery/I56Uepu\">imgur</a>"

Clue: What goes up, must come down.

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19

Can you spot what's wrong with this hand?

Nails viral
@Larose419//Twitter

Clue: Try counting the digits with your fingers.

20

Are the horizontal lines straight or bent?

Straight or bent lines illusion
Eyetricks

Clue: A ruler can help you prove it.

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