Objective To develop a method for the rapid detection of anthocyanin content in black rice.Methods This study adopts smartphone software "ColorMax" to obtain color parameters of anthocyanin standard solutions and black rice sample solutions in specific conditions. A relationship curve between color parameters of anthocyanin and its concentration is established and applied to the detection of black rice samples.Results The detection range of the proposed method is from 3.33 to 12.50 μmol/L, with the standard curve correlation coefficient (R²) of more than 0.99. The proposed method is employed to detect the anthocyanin content in 27 black rice samples, and the results are compared with those obtained by utilizing the NY/T 2640—2014 standard method. Regression analysis on both methods has a correlation coefficient (R²) of more than 0.84.Conclusion This method is rapid, efficient, and highly accurate, featuring applicability to on-site or household anthocyanin screening.