T
Hndy Tools

Color Contrast Accessibility Checker

Test color combinations for WCAG accessibility compliance

Accessibility
WCAG
Design
Web Standards

Preview

Sample Heading Text

This is normal body text. It should be easily readable against the background color. The contrast ratio determines how accessible this text is for users with visual impairments.

This is large text (18px+) which has different contrast requirements.

Contrast Results

21.00:1
Contrast Ratio
✓
AA Normal
4.5:1 required
✓
AA Large
3:1 required
✓
AAA Normal
7:1 required
✓
AAA Large
4.5:1 required

Recommendations

• Excellent! This combination meets the highest AAA accessibility standards.

• Large text (18px+) has lower contrast requirements than normal text.

Understanding Compliance Levels

✓ AA Normal Text

Minimum standard for regular text (under 18px or under 14px bold)

Requires 4.5:1 contrast ratio. This is the legal requirement in many countries and should be your minimum target.

✓ AA Large Text

Minimum standard for large text (18px+ or 14px+ bold)

Requires 3:1 contrast ratio. Large text is easier to read, so it has lower requirements.

✓ AAA Normal Text

Enhanced standard for regular text (under 18px or under 14px bold)

Requires 7:1 contrast ratio. This provides excellent accessibility for users with low vision.

✓ AAA Large Text

Enhanced standard for large text (18px+ or 14px+ bold)

Requires 4.5:1 contrast ratio. The gold standard for large text accessibility.

💡 Quick Guide

• Start with AA - It's the legal standard and covers most accessibility needs

• Aim for AAA - When possible, it provides better accessibility for everyone

• Large text is easier - 18px+ text has lower contrast requirements

• Higher ratios = better readability - Especially important for users with visual impairments

About This Tool

This color contrast checker helps you ensure your text is readable and accessible by testing color combinations against WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards.

The tool calculates the contrast ratio between text and background colors and shows whether they meet AA or AAA compliance levels. All calculations happen in your browser - no data is sent to servers.

Use this tool during design and development to create inclusive, accessible web content that works for users with visual impairments and color blindness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is color contrast and why is it important?
Color contrast is the difference in brightness (luminance) between text and its background. Good contrast is essential for readability, accessibility (a11y), and helps users with visual impairments or color blindness. Higher contrast means better readability.
What are WCAG AA and AAA standards, and how does this tool help?
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) sets legal standards for color contrast: AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; AAA requires 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. This tool is an online color contrast analyzer and calculator that checks your color combinations for compliance.
How do I check color contrast for accessibility?
Enter your text and background colors (hex codes or use the color pickers) to instantly see the contrast ratio and whether your combination meets accessibility standards. The tool works for any color, including purple, blue, green, pink, beige, brown, burgundy, baby pink, bottle green, copper, champagne, cyan, and black.
What are the best color contrast combinations for common colors?
For high contrast: use dark text (like black or navy) on light backgrounds (white, beige, baby pink, champagne) or light text (white, cream) on dark backgrounds (bottle green, burgundy, brown, blue, purple, copper). Always check the ratio for your specific shades. For dresses or design, high-contrast pairs like navy/white, pink/black, or green/yellow are visually appealing and accessible.
What is considered large text and why does it matter for contrast?
Large text is 18pt (24px) or larger, or 14pt (18.66px) and larger if bold. Large text is easier to read, so it has lower contrast requirements (3:1 for AA, 4.5:1 for AAA). For best accessibility, aim for the highest contrast possible.
What if my colors fail the contrast test?
If your colors fail, try making the text darker or the background lighter (or vice versa), increase font size or weight, or choose different colors. The tool will show recommendations to help you meet AA or AAA standards.
Do these guidelines apply to all content?
These guidelines apply to text content. Logos, decorative elements, and inactive UI components have different or no contrast requirements. For clothing or design (like dresses for girls), high-contrast color combinations are both accessible and visually appealing.
How does color contrast relate to brightness and color blindness?
Contrast is based on the difference in brightness (luminance) between two colors. Good contrast helps users with color blindness or low vision. The tool automatically calculates brightness connections and shows if your combination is accessible.