Accessible Color Combinations Tool
Ensure your designs are accessible to everyone. Test color combinations for WCAG compliance, check contrast ratios, and discover accessible color pairs that meet AA and AAA standards.
Accessible Color Combinations Tool
Find WCAG-compliant color combinations and test contrast ratios for accessibility
Sample Heading
This is how normal text will appear with your selected color combination. Make sure it's easy to read.
Small text should also be clearly visible and comfortable to read.
Accessibility Results
Normal Text (18px+)
Large Text (24px+)
Understanding WCAG Accessibility Standards
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are international standards developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) to make web content more accessible to people with disabilities. Color contrast is a fundamental aspect of these guidelines, ensuring that text and interactive elements are visible to users with various visual impairments.
WCAG AA Standard (Minimum)
WCAG AAA Standard (Enhanced)
Legal Requirements
Many countries have laws requiring digital accessibility compliance. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in the US, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) in Canada, and the European Accessibility Act in the EU all reference WCAG standards. Meeting AA compliance is often the legal minimum requirement.
Why Color Accessibility Matters
Color accessibility isn't just about compliance—it's about creating inclusive experiences that work for everyone. Poor color contrast affects millions of users worldwide, including those with visual impairments, color vision deficiencies, and situational limitations.
Who Benefits from Accessible Colors?
Users with Low Vision
People with conditions like macular degeneration, glaucoma, or diabetic retinopathy need high contrast to read text clearly.
Color Blind Users
8% of men and 0.5% of women have color vision deficiencies, making certain color combinations difficult to distinguish.
Aging Population
As people age, their ability to perceive contrast decreases, making high-contrast designs essential.
Environmental Factors
Bright sunlight, poor lighting, or low-quality screens can make low-contrast text impossible to read.
Business Benefits
Larger Audience
Accessible designs reach more users, potentially increasing your customer base by millions.
Better SEO
Search engines favor accessible websites, potentially improving your search rankings.
Legal Protection
Compliance with accessibility standards helps protect against discrimination lawsuits.
Brand Reputation
Demonstrating commitment to inclusion enhances your brand's reputation and values.
Common Color Accessibility Issues
Understanding common accessibility pitfalls helps you avoid them in your designs. Here are the most frequent color-related accessibility issues and how to fix them.
❌ Common Mistakes
Light Gray Text on White
Often fails to meet minimum contrast requirements
Colored Text on Colored Backgrounds
Blue on green, red on purple, etc.
Relying Only on Color
Using only color to convey important information
✅ Better Solutions
Dark Text on Light Backgrounds
High contrast ensures readability
Test Color Combinations
Always verify contrast ratios before implementation
Multiple Visual Cues
Use icons, patterns, or text alongside color
Testing Your Color Accessibility
Regular testing is essential for maintaining accessibility standards. Use a combination of automated tools and manual testing to ensure your color choices work for all users.
Automated Testing Tools
Browser Extensions
- • axe DevTools (Chrome, Firefox)
- • WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluator
- • Colour Contrast Analyser
- • Stark (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD)
Online Tools
- • WebAIM Contrast Checker
- • Colour Contrast Analyser (TPGi)
- • Accessible Colors
- • Color Oracle (Color blindness simulator)
Manual Testing Methods
Real-World Testing
- • Test on different devices and screens
- • View in various lighting conditions
- • Check with actual users who have visual impairments
- • Use screen readers to test non-visual cues
Simulation Testing
- • Use color blindness simulators
- • Test with reduced contrast settings
- • View designs in grayscale
- • Check with high contrast mode enabled
Testing Checklist
Implementation Best Practices
Implementing accessible colors requires more than just meeting contrast ratios. Follow these best practices to create truly inclusive color schemes.
CSS Implementation
Design System Approach
Color Palette Strategy
Primary Colors
Main brand colors with high contrast ratios
Secondary Colors
Supporting colors for accents and highlights
Status Colors
Colors for success, warning, and error states
Neutral Colors
Grays for text, borders, and backgrounds
Related Accessibility Tools
Color Blindness Simulator
Test how your designs appear to users with color vision deficiencies.
Contrast Checker
Advanced contrast ratio calculator with WCAG compliance verification.
Flat UI Color Picker
Discover accessible flat design colors for modern interfaces.
Color Palette Generator
Generate harmonious color palettes with accessibility in mind.
Dark Mode Palette Builder
Create accessible dark mode color schemes that meet WCAG standards.
Color Picker
Pick colors with built-in accessibility feedback and suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between WCAG AA and AAA compliance?
WCAG AA is the standard level of compliance that most organizations aim for, requiring a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG AAA is the enhanced level, requiring 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. AA compliance is legally sufficient for most jurisdictions, while AAA provides better accessibility for users with severe visual impairments.
Do I need to make every color combination AAA compliant?
No, AA compliance is typically sufficient for most use cases and is the standard required by most accessibility laws. However, AAA compliance is recommended for content that will be read by users with low vision, educational materials, or when you want to provide the best possible user experience for everyone.
How do I handle brand colors that don't meet contrast requirements?
You can still use brand colors for decorative elements, logos, and non-text content. For text, create darker or lighter variations of your brand colors that meet contrast requirements. Many successful brands have multiple shades of their primary colors specifically for accessibility purposes.
What about images and complex graphics?
Text within images must also meet contrast requirements, or you should provide alternative text that conveys the same information. For complex graphics like charts or infographics, ensure that information isn't conveyed by color alone—use patterns, labels, or other visual cues alongside color.
How often should I test my color combinations?
Test color combinations during the design phase, before implementation, and as part of your regular accessibility audits. Any time you update your color palette, add new components, or make design changes, re-test to ensure continued compliance. Automated testing tools can help catch issues early.
Can I use gradients and still maintain accessibility?
Yes, but you need to ensure that text placed over gradients maintains sufficient contrast throughout the gradient. Test the contrast at the lightest and darkest points of the gradient. Consider using semi-transparent overlays or ensuring the gradient has enough consistency to maintain readability.