​
Your urine should be a light shade of yellow. Sometimes, though, there are fluctuations in color. Dark yellow urine could indicate that you are dehydrated and need to drink more fluids. Bright yellow urine is often a side effect of a medication or vitamin you've taken. Below is more information on bright yellow urine, dark yellow urine and every shade in between.
Yellow Urine
Bright Yellow Urine - Fluorescent or Neon Yellow

Bright yellow urine color is most often caused by a multivitamin, vitamin C or B vitamin complex you are taking. Some of the vitamins cause bright, neon yellow pee, especially carotene. This side effect of taking vitamins is not harmful and is no reason for concern.

Another common cause of bright yellow urine is food dye. Dyes are used not only in food, but also in medications (both over-the-counter and prescription). Eating foods that have a lot of orange or yellow coloring could turn your pee bright yellow for a day or two. Dyes are also commonly used in urinary pain relief medications- the color depends on the brand you bought. Bright yellow pee resulting from food coloring or dyes is not a sign of a health problem and won't hurt you.

Don't forget that natural foods have their own "dyes", too. Asparagus is one food known to make your urine bright yellow. And if you've eaten a lot of carrots or other foods high in carotene, they will also change the color of your urine. Beets are another frequent cause of bright yellow urine.
Dehydration Causes Dark Yellow Urine

Urine that is dark yellow in color is very often caused by dehydration. When you drink less water, your urine becomes more concentrated and it will appear darker. Make sure your water intake is adequate. Eight glasses a day is a common recommendation, but you may need to drink more in certain situations, such as the following:

Extreme weather temperatures, both hot and cold;
Exercise increases your need for water;
Sweating;
Your height and weight.
As you drink more water, you should notice the color of your urine getting lighter and lighter.
Foods and Medications that Can Turn Your Pee Dark Yellow

The foods you eat can make your urine dark yellow. Food coloring, dyes and even compounds found in natural, unprocessed food could make your pee darker temporarily. Sometimes you will even find these dyes or colorings in medications. Some foods known to cause a change in the color of your urine include:
Blackberries
Asparagus
Beets
Fava Beans
Aloe
If you have taken certain medications recently, they could be the cause of dark yellow urine color:
​
Laxatives
Warfarin
Rifampin
Phenazopyridine
Nitrofurantoin
Quinine and related drugs
Sulfamethoxazole
Diseases and Medical Conditions that Cause Dark Yellow Urine

If you are having other symptoms in addition to dark yellow urine, such as foul smelling urine, fever or pain, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis. It is quite possible your symptoms are related and may be part of a larger problem.

Urinary Tract Infections

One common medical condition that causes dark yellow urine is a urinary tract infection (UTI). If you have a UTI, chances are your urine looks cloudy or has a foul odor, and you could have other typical symptoms:
Frequent urge to urinate
Painful urination
Pain in your back under one of your ribs
Fever
Chills
Nausea and/or vomiting

If you have a compromised immune system or any of the conditions below, you are at a higher risk for having UTIs:
Diabetes
Kidney Disease or kidney stones
Pregnant
Have an enlarged prostate

Hemolytic Anemia

Hemolytic anemia is a condition where the red blood cells in your body break down abnormally. There are different subtypes, and it can be either inherited or acquired. Other symptoms a person with hemolytic anemia might have are:

Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes)
Pale skin
Fainting
High blood pressure
Chest pain
Fluid retention in the abdomen or legs
If you suspect you have hemolytic anemia, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Left untreated, the complications of this condition can become quite serious.