Check Color Contrast Ratio Instantly
Normal Text
Pass (AAA)
Large Text
Pass (AAA)
UI / Graphics
Pass (AAA)
How to Use the Color Contrast Checker
Enter Colors
Input your foreground (e.g., text) and background colors using HEX codes like #FFFFFF.
Analyze Ratio
Instantly see the contrast ratio and its compliance level (AA or AAA) for different text sizes.
Optimize Design
Adjust the colors until you achieve a passing ratio for maximum readability and accessibility.
Why Color Contrast Matters for Your Website
Achieve Accessibility
Good contrast is crucial for users with visual impairments, including color blindness and low vision, making your content accessible to a wider audience.
Improve Readability
Clear contrast reduces eye strain and makes your content easier to read for everyone, regardless of their visual ability or viewing conditions.
Enhance User Experience & SEO
An accessible site leads to better user engagement, lower bounce rates, and longer session durations, which are positive signals for search engines.
Ensure Legal Compliance
Meeting WCAG standards helps you comply with legal requirements like the ADA and AODA, reducing the risk of accessibility-related lawsuits.
Understanding WCAG Contrast Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 provide the global standard for web accessibility. They define two main levels of compliance for contrast: AA (minimum) and AAA (enhanced). Our tool helps you meet these critical benchmarks.
WCAG 2.1 Contrast Ratios Explained
| Conformance Level | Normal Text (<18pt) | Large Text (18pt+ or 14pt+ Bold) | UI Components |
|---|---|---|---|
| AA (Minimum) | 4.5:1 | 3:1 | 3:1 |
| AAA (Enhanced) | 7:1 | 4.5:1 | Not Applicable |
Key Principles for Accessible Design:
- Test Early, Test Often: Integrate contrast checking into your design workflow from the beginning to save time and effort.
- Don’t Rely on Color Alone: Use text labels, patterns, or icons to convey information, not just color. This helps users with color blindness.
- Check All Interactive States: Ensure that text in buttons or links maintains sufficient contrast in hover, focus, and active states.
Common Contrast Pitfalls & How to Avoid Them
Achieving good contrast goes beyond just black text on a white background. Here are common mistakes designers and developers make, and how you can prevent them.
Low-Contrast Placeholder Text
Placeholder text in forms often has low contrast. Ensure it meets the 4.5:1 ratio, or use a floating label pattern instead.
Text on Images
Placing text over a busy image can create areas of poor contrast. Use a solid color overlay or a text shadow to ensure readability.
Ignoring Brand Colors
Sometimes brand colors don’t have enough contrast for text. Create an accessible secondary color palette for text and UI elements.
Unfocused Link States
Forgetting to check the contrast for :hover and :focus states on links and buttons can make them inaccessible during interaction.
The Business Case for Digital Accessibility
Investing in accessibility is not just a compliance requirement; it’s a smart business strategy that yields tangible returns.
- Expand Your Market Reach: The global population with disabilities has significant spending power. An accessible website opens your products and services to this underserved market.
- Boost Brand Image and Reputation: Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity enhances your brand’s public perception, fostering loyalty and trust among all customers.
- Drive Innovation: Focusing on accessibility often leads to cleaner code, better design solutions, and improved usability for every single user, not just those with disabilities. This can lead to higher conversion rates and customer satisfaction.
- Mitigate Legal Risk: Proactively adhering to accessibility standards like WCAG significantly reduces the risk of expensive lawsuits and legal penalties in jurisdictions with laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).