The science behind white clouds Clouds look white because their tiny water droplets scatter all colors of sunlight equally, sending a balanced mix of light to our eyes. (more) Why Are Clouds White? Written by Anoushka Pant Anoushka Pant holds a degree in elementary education, with a focus on mathematics, education, and psychology, from Miranda House, University of Delhi. Anoushka Pant Fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated Jan. 27, 2026 •History Clouds are made of tiny droplets of water or small ice crystals suspended in air. Both air and pure water are almost transparent, so it is natural to wonder why clouds stand out in the sky as white shapes instead of being see-through. The answer lies in how sunlight interacts with those droplets. Why the Sky Looks Blue On a clear day sunlight encounters tiny gas molecules in the atmosphere. Since these molecules are smaller...

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