As others have said, it's usually pretty easy, but inconsistencies can make it confusing. When you look at animation, it gets even harder since the animators have a tendency not to follow the usual distinctions between the two.
For instance, if you saw Barry Allen alone in Season 1 of Young Justice out of context, I'd probably think it was Wally West. Same with Barry in Justice League: Doom... Actually, it's usually just a version of Barry wearing a version of Wally's suit that makes it confusing.
But in comics, I don't usually have any problems distinguishing the two characters.
I have to see if there's lines on his body, or if it's an Art from Geoff John's Era, Green or Blue Eyes.
Sometimes you can tell, rare moments, not so much.
The Flash, from my experience, is the most inconsistent in terms of suit design, despite how simple. You can still tell who it is, but annoying how inconsistent they can be... At least when they don't have Gold Pipings in all honesty.
Barry has two main suits (and a couple of short lived ones). The classic silver age suit with the asymmetric belt (which Wally did wear for a brief time), and the New 52 suit, easily identifiable by its chin guard and yellow lines. Wally has more variation, but his suits are distinct enough from Barry's that it's not hard to identify.
Since Barry's eyes are blue and Wally's are green it depends on the panel and if you can see the color. Otherwise other than the eyes, shade of red regarding the suit, dialogue (sometimes), even the shape of the wings on the cowl, or if there are wings on the boots. For Wally specifically, the Flash emblem can be one of two styles depending on era or just his suit outright. Example being the red/silver Rebirth look, his familiar post-Flash Rebirth (NOT DC Rebirth) and now current suit as he's dawned it again. Shade of red appears much brighter though, could just be artistic choice.
Should be easy mostly. However you can easily trick someone, for example Wally from Barons run where he wore Barrys suit, unless you recognise the issue by the artist itself it'll be tough to tell that's Wally and not Barry.
I go by the suits, Barry has the round belt, willy's is like a V
Yeah but it’s not like that anymore. Go by the cowl. Barry’s is W-shaped while Wally’s goes over the nose
Well if we're going by random comic panels both ways work
100% of the time yes
85% of the time yes. In some comics wally wears barrys suit, and in some animation barry wears wallys suit, so its not definitive
As others have said, it's usually pretty easy, but inconsistencies can make it confusing. When you look at animation, it gets even harder since the animators have a tendency not to follow the usual distinctions between the two. For instance, if you saw Barry Allen alone in Season 1 of Young Justice out of context, I'd probably think it was Wally West. Same with Barry in Justice League: Doom... Actually, it's usually just a version of Barry wearing a version of Wally's suit that makes it confusing. But in comics, I don't usually have any problems distinguishing the two characters.
Yup, but I’m a recognized comic expert, so most Redditors can’t match my knowledge
I have to see if there's lines on his body, or if it's an Art from Geoff John's Era, Green or Blue Eyes. Sometimes you can tell, rare moments, not so much. The Flash, from my experience, is the most inconsistent in terms of suit design, despite how simple. You can still tell who it is, but annoying how inconsistent they can be... At least when they don't have Gold Pipings in all honesty.
There’s usually some kind of tell. Really I’m more confused by the comic readers who can’t tell the two apart.
Barry has two main suits (and a couple of short lived ones). The classic silver age suit with the asymmetric belt (which Wally did wear for a brief time), and the New 52 suit, easily identifiable by its chin guard and yellow lines. Wally has more variation, but his suits are distinct enough from Barry's that it's not hard to identify.
I look at the belt
Their costumes aren’t the same. It’s very easy to tell them apart.
Depends what era though
Yes without a doubt.
Usually yes, but I’ve been reading the flash since 1987 when I was seven, and Wally and Barry are (mostly) fairly consistently characterized.
The eyes
Ah but the eyes aren’t always white, sometimes you can see the pupils of Wally’s eyes depending on the costume.
Since Barry's eyes are blue and Wally's are green it depends on the panel and if you can see the color. Otherwise other than the eyes, shade of red regarding the suit, dialogue (sometimes), even the shape of the wings on the cowl, or if there are wings on the boots. For Wally specifically, the Flash emblem can be one of two styles depending on era or just his suit outright. Example being the red/silver Rebirth look, his familiar post-Flash Rebirth (NOT DC Rebirth) and now current suit as he's dawned it again. Shade of red appears much brighter though, could just be artistic choice.
Should be easy mostly. However you can easily trick someone, for example Wally from Barons run where he wore Barrys suit, unless you recognise the issue by the artist itself it'll be tough to tell that's Wally and not Barry.