Free Color Contrast Checker - WCAG Compliance Tool Online

Check color contrast ratios and WCAG compliance. Ensure your text is readable for everyone, including people with visual impairments. Perfect for web designers and developers.

Sample Text
Sample Text

Live Preview

Heading Example

This is a paragraph of normal text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.

Large Text Example

This is small text. Make sure it's readable for users with visual impairments.

Preset Combinations

Understanding WCAG Standards

Normal text: Text smaller than 18pt (or 14pt bold)

Large text: Text 18pt or larger (or 14pt bold or larger)

WCAG AA: Minimum contrast for legal compliance in most countries

WCAG AAA: Enhanced contrast for better accessibility

What is Color Contrast?

Color contrast is the difference in light between text (foreground) and its background. It's measured as a ratio from 1:1 (no contrast, same color) to 21:1 (maximum contrast, like black on white). Higher contrast makes text more readable, especially for people with visual impairments.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) sets minimum contrast requirements for web accessibility. Meeting these standards ensures your content is readable for everyone, including people with color blindness, low vision, or those viewing content in various lighting conditions.

Why Use Our Color Contrast Checker?

🎨 Real-Time Calculation

See contrast ratios update instantly as you change colors. No need to submit forms - get results immediately.

✅ WCAG Compliance

Check WCAG AA and AAA compliance for both normal and large text. Ensure your designs meet accessibility standards.

🎯 Visual Preview

See exactly how your color combination looks. Preview text on background to verify readability before using in your design.

📋 Preset Combinations

Try preset color combinations that meet WCAG standards. Quick examples for common color pairs.

Common Use Cases

Web Design

Ensure text colors meet accessibility standards in your website designs. Create readable interfaces that work for all users.

UI/UX Development

Verify color combinations in user interfaces. Meet accessibility requirements for apps and software.

Brand Guidelines

Check if brand colors meet accessibility standards. Ensure brand guidelines include accessible color combinations.

Legal Compliance

Meet legal accessibility requirements. Many countries require WCAG compliance for public websites and services.

How to Check Color Contrast

  1. 1

    Select Colors

    Use the color pickers to select your foreground (text) and background colors. You can also enter hex color codes directly.

  2. 2

    View Contrast Ratio

    See the contrast ratio calculated automatically. The ratio updates instantly as you change colors.

  3. 3

    Check Compliance

    Review WCAG AA and AAA compliance for normal and large text. Green checkmarks indicate passing standards.

  4. 4

    Preview and Use

    Preview how the colors look together. If they meet your requirements, use them in your design with confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color contrast?

Color contrast is the difference in light between text (foreground) and its background. It's measured as a ratio from 1:1 (no contrast) to 21:1 (maximum contrast). Higher contrast makes text more readable, especially for people with visual impairments.

Is this color contrast checker free?

Yes, our color contrast checker is 100% free to use. There are no limits on the number of checks, and no registration is required. All contrast calculation happens in your browser.

What are WCAG standards?

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) are international standards for web accessibility. WCAG AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG AAA requires 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text.

What's the difference between normal and large text?

Normal text is smaller than 18pt (or 14pt bold). Large text is 18pt or larger (or 14pt bold or larger). Large text has lower contrast requirements because it's easier to read even with lower contrast.

Why is color contrast important?

Color contrast is essential for accessibility. It ensures text is readable for everyone, including people with visual impairments, color blindness, or those viewing content in bright sunlight. Good contrast also improves readability for all users.

What contrast ratio should I aim for?

For legal compliance, aim for WCAG AA (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text). For better accessibility, aim for WCAG AAA (7:1 for normal text, 4.5:1 for large text). Higher contrast is always better for readability.