Color Contrast Checker

Check color contrast ratios for WCAG accessibility compliance. Ensure readable text and accessible design.

Select Colors

Contrast Preview

Large Text Example

Regular Large Text (18pt+)

Normal Text Example

Small Text (14pt)

Contrast Ratio
21.00:1

WCAG Compliance

Normal Text - AA
✓ PASS
Minimum contrast: 4.5:1
Normal Text - AAA
✓ PASS
Minimum contrast: 7:1
Large Text - AA
✓ PASS
Minimum contrast: 3:1 (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold)
Large Text - AAA
✓ PASS
Minimum contrast: 4.5:1

About WCAG Standards

• Level AA: Minimum legal requirement for most websites (ADA, Section 508)

• Level AAA: Enhanced standard for maximum accessibility

• Large Text: 18pt (24px) regular or 14pt (18.66px) bold or larger

• Normal Text: All other text sizes

What It Does

A Color Contrast Checker is an essential accessibility tool that verifies whether color combinations meet WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) accessibility standards. It calculates the contrast ratio between foreground (text) and background colors and determines if the combination passes WCAG AA or AAA compliance levels. Proper color contrast is crucial for readability, especially for users with visual impairments, color blindness, or when viewing content in various lighting conditions. The tool provides instant feedback on contrast ratios, shows pass/fail results for different text sizes, and helps designers and developers create accessible interfaces. Ensuring sufficient contrast is not only a legal requirement in many jurisdictions but also improves usability for all users.

Key Features:

  • Calculate contrast ratio between foreground and background colors
  • WCAG AA and AAA compliance checking
  • Support for normal text (4.5:1 AA, 7:1 AAA) and large text (3:1 AA, 4.5:1 AAA)
  • Real-time contrast calculation as colors change
  • Visual preview of color combinations
  • Pass/fail indicators for accessibility compliance
  • Color picker integration for easy color selection
  • Detailed contrast ratio display with recommendations

How To Use

Checking color contrast is simple: select your text and background colors, and see if they meet accessibility standards.

1

Select Foreground Color

Select or enter your foreground (text) color using the color picker or by entering a color code (HEX, RGB, HSL).

2

Select Background Color

Select or enter your background color using the color picker or by entering a color code.

3

View Contrast Ratio

See the contrast ratio calculated instantly. The ratio is displayed as a number (e.g., 4.5:1, 7:1) indicating the difference between colors.

4

Check Compliance

See if your color combination passes WCAG AA (minimum) or AAA (enhanced) standards for normal text or large text.

5

Adjust if Needed

If contrast is insufficient, adjust colors until you achieve compliant contrast ratios. The tool updates in real-time as you change colors.

Pro Tips

  • •WCAG AA is the minimum standard (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text)
  • •WCAG AAA is enhanced standard (7:1 for normal text, 4.5:1 for large text)
  • •Large text is 18pt+ or 14pt+ bold - has lower contrast requirements
  • •Test both light and dark color combinations
  • •Consider users with color blindness - contrast matters more than color
  • •High contrast improves readability for all users, not just those with impairments

Benefits

Accessibility Compliance: Meet WCAG standards for legal and ethical requirements
Better Usability: Improved readability for all users, not just those with impairments
Legal Protection: Reduce risk of accessibility lawsuits and compliance issues
Inclusive Design: Ensure content is accessible to users with visual impairments
Real-Time Feedback: Instant contrast calculation as you adjust colors
Professional Standards: Follow industry best practices for accessible design
User Experience: Better contrast improves overall user experience
SEO Benefits: Accessible sites often rank better and reach more users

Use Cases

Website Design

Verify text colors have sufficient contrast against background colors for website accessibility.

Check black text (#000000) on white background (#ffffff) - passes AAA with 21:1 contrast ratio

UI Component Design

Test color combinations for buttons, cards, and UI elements to ensure readable text.

Verify button text color meets contrast requirements against button background color

Brand Color Compliance

Ensure brand colors can be used for text while maintaining accessibility standards.

Test brand primary color as text on white background, adjust if contrast is insufficient

Form Design

Check form labels, input text, and error messages have sufficient contrast for readability.

Verify form label color meets WCAG AA standards against form background

Content Accessibility

Ensure article text, headings, and content have proper contrast for reading.

Check body text color against article background, ensure 4.5:1 minimum contrast

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What is WCAG and why does it matter?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is an international standard for web accessibility. WCAG AA is the minimum compliance level required by many laws (like ADA in the US, AODA in Canada, EN 301 549 in EU). WCAG AAA is an enhanced level for better accessibility. Meeting these standards ensures your website is accessible to people with disabilities and helps avoid legal issues.
2 What contrast ratio do I need?
For normal text (under 18pt regular or 14pt bold): WCAG AA requires 4.5:1, WCAG AAA requires 7:1. For large text (18pt+ regular or 14pt+ bold): WCAG AA requires 3:1, WCAG AAA requires 4.5:1. Higher contrast is always better for readability. Aim for at least AA compliance, AAA when possible.
3 What if my brand colors don't meet contrast requirements?
You have options: use brand colors for non-text elements (backgrounds, borders, icons), use brand colors only for large text where requirements are lower, create darker/lighter variations of brand colors for text, or use brand colors with sufficient contrast backgrounds. The goal is maintaining brand identity while ensuring accessibility.
4 Does color contrast affect users without visual impairments?
Yes! Good contrast improves readability for everyone, especially in various lighting conditions (bright sunlight, dim rooms), on different screen types, or for users who are tired or distracted. High contrast text is easier to read quickly and reduces eye strain. Accessibility improvements benefit all users.
5 Can I use color alone to convey information?
No, WCAG guidelines state that color should not be the only means of conveying information. For example, don't rely solely on red text to indicate errors - also use icons, labels, or other indicators. This ensures information is accessible to users with color blindness. Always provide additional visual or text cues beyond color.
6 How do I fix insufficient contrast?
To improve contrast: darken the text color, lighten the background color (or vice versa), increase the difference between colors, use a semi-transparent overlay on background images, or choose different color combinations. The contrast checker updates in real-time as you adjust colors, making it easy to find compliant combinations.

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