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Contrast Checker

Check the contrast ratio between two colors to ensure WCAG 2.1 accessibility compliance.

Select Colors

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Contrast Result

Sample Text
Contrast Ratio: N/A:1
  • WCAG AA (Normal Text, ≥4.5:1): Fail
  • WCAG AA (Large Text, ≥3:1): Fail
  • WCAG AAA (Normal Text, ≥7:1): Fail
  • WCAG AAA (Large Text, ≥4.5:1): Fail

Embed This Tool on Your Website

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What is a Color Contrast Checker?

A Color Contrast Checker is an essential accessibility tool used by web designers and developers to calculate the visual difference (contrast ratio) between two colors—typically a background color and a text (foreground) color.

Ensuring high contrast is critical for web accessibility. If your text color blends too much with the background, users with visual impairments, color blindness, or simply users viewing your site on a dim screen will struggle to read your content. Our tool tests your colors against strict WCAG 2.1 standards.

Understanding WCAG Standards

  • WCAG AA (Normal Text): Requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1. This is the legal standard in many countries.
  • WCAG AA (Large Text): Requires a ratio of 3:1. Large text is usually defined as 18pt regular or 14pt bold.
  • WCAG AAA: The highest standard of accessibility, requiring a 7:1 ratio for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text.

How to Test Color Contrast

  1. Click on the Foreground Color picker to choose your text color.
  2. Click on the Background Color picker to choose your background color.
  3. Alternatively, you can manually type or paste the Hex codes into the color picker dialog.
  4. Click Check Contrast to see if your combination Passes or Fails WCAG guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Color Contrast important for SEO?

While contrast itself is primarily an accessibility (a11y) factor, Google values user experience (UX) highly. Websites that are accessible and easy to read tend to have lower bounce rates and higher engagement, which indirectly boosts SEO rankings.

What happens if my contrast ratio fails?

If your ratio fails, it means your text is hard to read. You should either make your text color darker (if on a light background) or lighter (if on a dark background) until you achieve at least a 4.5:1 passing score.

What is considered "Large Text" by WCAG?

WCAG defines large text as at least 18 points (24px) for regular weight text, or 14 points (18.66px) if the text is bold. Large text requires a slightly lower contrast ratio because its size makes it naturally easier to read.

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