Color Contrast Checker
Calculate the contrast ratio between text and background colors to ensure ADA and WCAG compliance.
What is the Color Contrast Checker?
Understanding WCAG Levels
- WCAG AA (Normal Text): Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1. This is the baseline standard most websites aim to meet.
- WCAG AA (Large Text): Requires a contrast ratio of at least 3.0:1. Large text is defined as 14pt (18.66px) and bold, or 18pt (24px) or larger.
- WCAG AAA (Normal Text): Requires a stricter contrast ratio of at least 7.0:1 for enhanced accessibility.
- WCAG AAA (Large Text): Requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is color contrast?
Color contrast is the difference in light between the font (or anything in the foreground) and its background. In web accessibility, it's expressed as a ratio ranging from 1:1 (no contrast, e.g., white text on a white background) to 21:1 (maximum contrast, e.g., black text on a white background).
Why is color contrast important?
Good color contrast ensures that everyone, including people with visual impairments like color blindness or low vision, can read the text on your website. It also helps users in less-than-ideal conditions, such as reading on a mobile device in bright sunlight.
How is the contrast ratio calculated?
The contrast ratio is calculated using the relative luminance of the text and background colors based on the WCAG 2.x formula. It measures the perceived brightness of colors, taking into account how the human eye processes different wavelengths of light.