Color Contrast Checker

Ensure your web content is accessible to everyone with our color contrast checker. Test text and background color combinations against WCAG accessibility standards, simulate how colors appear to people with color blindness, and get suggestions for accessible alternatives. No Signup Required.

Color Contrast Checker

Create accessible color combinations with confidence

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Preview

Normal Text

This is an example of normal body text that would appear on your website or application.

Large Text

This is an example of large text (18pt or 14pt bold).

"Good design is accessible design. Contrast is essential for readability."

Contrast Ratio

19.00:1

0

SCORE

Normal Text

AAA

Large Text

AAA

WCAG 2.1 Guidelines: AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text. AAA requires 7:1 for normal text, 4.5:1 for large text.

Tips & Suggestions

  • ✦Maintain a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text.
  • ✦Use 3:1 or higher for large text (18pt or 14pt bold).
  • ✦Consider using darker text on lighter backgrounds or vice versa.
  • ✦For full WCAG AAA compliance, aim for a ratio of 7:1.
  • ✦Adjust brightness or saturation slightly to improve contrast.

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Did You Know?

The human eye can distinguish approximately 10 million different colors, yet about 8% of men and 0.5% of women worldwide have some form of color vision deficiency. This is why color contrast isn't just an accessibility feature—it's essential for effective communication. The first formal color contrast guidelines were only established in 1999, despite digital interfaces existing for decades before.

Technical Insight

Many countries now legally require websites to meet accessibility standards, including proper color contrast. The European Accessibility Act, ADA in the United States, and similar laws worldwide have made accessibility not just good practice but a legal requirement. Organizations that ignore these standards have faced significant lawsuits, with legal cases related to web accessibility increasing by over 300% since 2018.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a color contrast checker?

A color contrast checker is a tool that measures the contrast ratio between text and background colors to ensure readability and accessibility. It helps designers and developers create content that meets web accessibility standards, particularly for users with visual impairments.

Why is color contrast important for accessibility?

Sufficient color contrast ensures that text is readable for all users, including those with low vision or color blindness. Poor contrast can make content difficult or impossible to read for many people. Meeting contrast standards is also a legal requirement for many websites under accessibility laws.

What are the WCAG contrast requirements?

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) specify minimum contrast ratios: For Level AA compliance, text needs a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text). For stricter Level AAA compliance, text needs a ratio of at least 7:1 (4.5:1 for large text). Large text is defined as 18pt+ or 14pt+ bold.

How is the contrast ratio calculated?

The contrast ratio is calculated using the relative luminance of the text and background colors. The formula compares the lighter color's luminance to the darker color's luminance, resulting in a ratio between 1:1 (no contrast) and 21:1 (black on white). The calculation follows the mathematical formula defined in the WCAG 2.0 guidelines.

What colors work best for accessibility?

The most accessible color combinations typically have high contrast, such as black text on white backgrounds (21:1 ratio) or dark blue on white. Avoid color combinations like gray on white, yellow on white, or blue on purple, which often have insufficient contrast. Our tool can help you find accessible color combinations.

Is my data secure when using this contrast checker tool?

Yes, we take data security seriously. This tool processes everything entirely in your browser - no data is sent to our servers. This ensures complete privacy and security while you check color contrasts.

Can I check contrast for non-text elements?

Yes, while our tool primarily focuses on text contrast, WCAG guidelines also require a minimum 3:1 contrast ratio for non-text elements like icons, buttons, and form controls. You can use our tool to check these contrast values as well.

How do I fix colors that don't meet contrast requirements?

To fix contrast issues, you can either darken the text color, lighten the background color (or vice versa), or choose entirely different colors. Our tool provides suggestions for similar colors that would meet accessibility standards based on your current selection.

What does 'large text' mean in accessibility terms?

In WCAG guidelines, 'large text' is defined as text that is at least 18 points (24px) or 14 points (18.7px) and bold. Large text has less stringent contrast requirements (3:1 for WCAG AA, 4.5:1 for AAA) because larger text is inherently more readable at lower contrast levels.

Can I test existing website colors with this tool?

Yes, you can use our color picker to select colors from any website or upload screenshots to test existing color combinations. You can also input HEX, RGB, or HSL color values directly if you know the specific colors used on a website.

What are color blindness simulations?

Color blindness simulations show how your color combinations might appear to people with different types of color vision deficiencies. Our tool includes simulations for protanopia (red blindness), deuteranopia (green blindness), tritanopia (blue blindness), and monochromacy (complete color blindness).

How can I ensure my website is fully accessible beyond color contrast?

While color contrast is important, full accessibility includes proper HTML semantics, keyboard navigation, alternative text for images, captions for videos, and more. Consider using a comprehensive accessibility checker and following all WCAG guidelines for complete accessibility.

Can I save or export my contrast test results?

Yes, our tool allows you to save your contrast test results as a PDF report or export the data in CSV format. This is useful for accessibility documentation, team sharing, or client presentations to demonstrate compliance with accessibility standards.

What's the difference between WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 for contrast?

The contrast requirements remain the same across WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2. All versions require a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (Level AA), or 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text (Level AAA).

Does this tool check for all accessibility issues?

No, this tool specifically focuses on color contrast accessibility. For comprehensive accessibility testing, you should also check for proper semantic HTML, keyboard navigation, screen reader compatibility, and other WCAG requirements using additional tools and manual testing.

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