Image & Design
Color Contrast Checker
Color Contrast Checker measures the contrast ratio between a foreground and background color and tells you whether it passes WCAG AA and AAA accessibility standards for text readability. It's essential for designers and developers making sure their color choices are accessible to users with low vision.
The contrast ratio is calculated with a standard formula run directly in your browser's JavaScript, so you get an instant pass/fail result without any data being sent to a server.
How to Use the Color Contrast Checker
- Open the Color Contrast Checker tool.
- Enter or select your foreground text color.
- Enter or select your background color.
- Review the contrast ratio and WCAG AA/AAA pass or fail results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What contrast ratio do I need to pass WCAG AA?
WCAG AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires higher ratios of 7:1 and 4.5:1 respectively.
Why does text color contrast matter for accessibility?
Sufficient contrast ensures text remains readable for users with low vision or color vision deficiencies, which is a core requirement of accessible web design.
Does checking contrast require entering real content, not just colors?
No, you only need to provide the two colors being compared — the tool calculates the ratio mathematically without needing any actual text or content.