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Color Contrast Checker: Check WCAG color contrast ratios for text accessibility. Enter a foreground (text) color and background color to see if the combination meets WCAG AA or AAA standards. Essential for designers and developers building accessible websites and apps.
Quick steps
- Pick or enter a foreground (text) color and background color using the…
- View the live sample text to see how the combination looks.
- Read the contrast ratio and WCAG pass/fail for AA Normal, AA Large…
Color Contrast Checker vs desktop software
| Feature | Color Contrast Checker | Desktop software |
|---|---|---|
| Install required | No | Yes |
| Works on phone & desktop | Yes | Varies |
| Free to use | Yes | Often paid |
| Signup needed | No | Sometimes |
People also ask
What is WCAG?
Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. WCAG defines contrast ratios for readable text. AA is the common target; AAA is stricter.
What ratio do I need?
AA: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large (18px+ or 14px+ bold). AAA: 7:1 and 4.5:1 respectively.
Is this tool free?
Yes. Free with no signup required.
Does it work with dark mode?
Yes. Test any foreground/background pair—light on dark or dark on light.
What hex format is supported?
Use #RGB (e.g. #f00) or #RRGGBB (e.g. #ff0000). We parse both.
What is Color Contrast Checker?
Check WCAG color contrast ratios for text accessibility. Enter a foreground (text) color and background color to see if the combination meets WCAG AA or AAA standards. Essential for designers and developers building accessible websites and apps. Supports hex colors and live preview.
How to use Color Contrast Checker
- Pick or enter a foreground (text) color and background color using the color picker or hex input.
- View the live sample text to see how the combination looks.
- Read the contrast ratio and WCAG pass/fail for AA Normal, AA Large, AAA Normal, and AAA Large.
Why use this tool?
Color contrast checker WCAG helps ensure text is readable for users with low vision or color blindness. AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1 and 4.5:1. Many users search for 'accessibility contrast checker' or 'WCAG color contrast'. Our tool run online—no data is sent. Free accessibility tools help designers meet ADA and Section 508 requirements.
FAQ
- What is WCAG?
- Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. WCAG defines contrast ratios for readable text. AA is the common target; AAA is stricter.
- What ratio do I need?
- AA: 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large (18px+ or 14px+ bold). AAA: 7:1 and 4.5:1 respectively.
- Is this tool free?
- Yes. Free with no signup required.
- Does it work with dark mode?
- Yes. Test any foreground/background pair—light on dark or dark on light.
- What hex format is supported?
- Use #RGB (e.g. #f00) or #RRGGBB (e.g. #ff0000). We parse both.
Color Contrast Checker — In-Depth Guide
Color contrast checking ensures that text is readable against its background color. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines require minimum contrast ratios of four point five to one for normal text and three to one for large text. This tool calculates the exact ratio between any foreground and background color pair and reports whether it meets accessibility standards.
Web designers and developers use contrast checkers during the design phase to ensure their color palettes are accessible to users with visual impairments. Approximately eight percent of men and half a percent of women have some form of color vision deficiency. Meeting contrast guidelines ensures your content is readable by the widest possible audience.
Accessibility auditors rely on contrast checking tools when evaluating websites for compliance with WCAG guidelines and legal requirements like the ADA or Section 508. Documenting contrast ratios for key text elements provides evidence of compliance during audits. This tool generates clear pass or fail results against both AA and AAA conformance levels.
Tip: test contrast for all text sizes on your site, not just body copy. Navigation links, button labels, placeholder text, and error messages all need sufficient contrast. Dark mode designs need separate contrast verification. When a color pair fails, try adjusting lightness rather than hue to improve contrast while maintaining your color scheme's overall aesthetic.
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