)

Color Accessibility Checker

Test color combinations for WCAG compliance. Check contrast ratios, simulate color blindness, and ensure your designs are accessible to everyone.

Color Accessibility Checker

Test color combinations for WCAG compliance and accessibility standards

Color Pairs

Foreground Color

Background Color

Text Size

Show Color Blindness Simulation

Sample Text

This is how your text will appear with these colors.

Contrast Ratio

21.00:1

AA Normal

Requires 4.5:1

AA Large

Requires 3:1

AAA Normal

Requires 7:1

AAA Large

Requires 4.5:1

WCAG Compliance Levels

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define specific contrast ratio requirements to ensure text is readable for users with visual impairments. Our checker evaluates your color combinations against all WCAG standards.

Level AA (Minimum)

Normal Text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum
Large Text: 3:1 contrast ratio minimum
Suitable for most websites and applications

Level AAA (Enhanced)

Normal Text: 7:1 contrast ratio minimum
Large Text: 4.5:1 contrast ratio minimum
Recommended for critical content and accessibility-focused sites

Large Text is defined as 18pt (24px) or larger, or 14pt (18.66px) or larger if bold. Larger text is easier to read and therefore has lower contrast requirements.

Color Blindness Considerations

Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color vision deficiency. Our color blindness simulator helps you understand how your color combinations appear to users with different types of color blindness.

Protanopia

Red-blind. Difficulty distinguishing reds, greens, and some blues. Affects about 1% of men.

Deuteranopia

Green-blind. Similar to protanopia but more common, affecting about 1% of men.

Tritanopia

Blue-blind. Rare condition affecting ability to distinguish blues and yellows.

Best Practice: Don't rely solely on color to convey information. Use icons, labels, patterns, or other visual indicators in addition to color.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a contrast ratio?

Contrast ratio measures the difference in perceived brightness between two colors. It ranges from 1:1 (no contrast, same color) to 21:1 (maximum contrast, black on white). Higher ratios mean better readability.

Do I need to meet AAA standards?

AAA is not required for most websites, but it provides enhanced accessibility. AA is the standard for most applications. Consider AAA for critical content, government sites, or applications specifically designed for users with disabilities.

Can I test multiple color pairs at once?

Yes! Use the "Add Pair" button to test multiple color combinations. You can export a comprehensive accessibility report for all pairs at once.

What if my colors don't meet the requirements?

The tool provides suggestions for improving contrast. Generally, you can darken the foreground color, lighten the background color, or increase the font size. For design constraints, consider using semi-transparent overlays or adjusting opacity.