Color Contrast Checker
Verify your color combinations meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Large Text Example (18pt+)
Contrast Ratio
WCAG Compliance
Accessibility Guidelines: WCAG 2.1 requires minimum contrast ratios of 4.5:1 for normal text (AA) and 7:1 for enhanced contrast (AAA). Large text (18pt+ or 14pt bold+) requires 3:1 (AA) or 4.5:1 (AAA).
How to Use the Color Contrast Checker
Follow these simple steps to verify your color combinations meet accessibility standards
Select Your Colors
Use the color pickers or enter HEX codes to set your text and background colors. The tool supports both methods.
View Live Preview
See how your text appears on the background in real-time with both normal and large text examples.
Check Your Results
Review the contrast ratio and WCAG compliance indicators to see if your combination meets accessibility standards.
Adjust as Needed
If your colors don't meet standards, tweak them until you achieve sufficient contrast for accessibility.
Pro Tips for Best Results
- Test both light-on-dark and dark-on-light combinations
- Aim for at least 4.5:1 contrast for normal text (AA compliance)
- 7:1 contrast is recommended for AAA compliance
- Large text (18pt+) requires only 3:1 contrast for AA
- Check colors in their final environment (some screens may display colors differently)
Color Contrast Checker - 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 compliance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.
Why is color contrast important?
Proper color contrast is essential for:
- Accessibility for visually impaired users
- Readability in different lighting conditions
- Compliance with legal accessibility requirements
- Better user experience for all visitors
What are the WCAG contrast ratio requirements?
WCAG 2.1 specifies these minimum contrast ratios:
| Standard | Normal Text | Large Text* |
|---|---|---|
| AA | 4.5:1 | 3:1 |
| AAA | 7:1 | 4.5:1 |
*Large text is 18pt+ or 14pt bold+
How do I use this Color Contrast Checker?
- Select your text color using the color picker or enter a HEX code
- Select your background color
- View the live preview of how the combination looks
- Check the contrast ratio and WCAG compliance results
- Adjust colors if needed to meet accessibility standards
What if my color combination fails WCAG standards?
If your colors don't meet accessibility standards:
- Darken the darker color or lighten the lighter color
- Consider using a different color combination
- For text, try using bold or increasing the font size
- Add outlines or shadows to improve readability