What's the difference between WCAG AA and AAA?

WCAG Level AA is the minimum standard required for most websites and applications. It requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG Level AAA is the enhanced standard, requiring 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. While AAA provides better accessibility, it can be more challenging to achieve in design. Most organizations aim for AA compliance as a minimum.

What counts as "large text"?

According to WCAG , large text is defined as 18pt (24px) or larger regular text, or 14pt (18.5px) or larger bold text. Large text has lower contrast requirements because it's easier to read. Headings, titles, and emphasized text often qualify as large text if they meet these size requirements.

Do I need to test every color combination on my site?

You should test all unique color combinations used for text and backgrounds on your site. This includes body text, headings, links, buttons, form labels, error messages, and any other text elements. Focus on testing the most common combinations first, especially those used for primary content and interactive elements.

What if my colors don't meet the requirements?

If your colors don't meet WCAG requirements, you have several options: (1) Darken or lighten one of the colors to increase contrast, (2) Use a different color that provides better contrast, (3) Increase the text size if it qualifies as large text, (4) Use bold text if it meets the large text size requirement. The tool updates in real-time, so you can experiment with different colors until you find a combination that works.

Is this tool free to use?

Yes, our Color Contrast Checker is completely free to use. There are no registration requirements, no hidden fees, and no limitations on usage. You can test as many color combinations as you need without any restrictions.

Accessibility Tools

Accessibility Color Contrast Checker

Free online color contrast checker tool to test accessibility compliance. Check if your text and background colors meet WCAG AA and AAA standards. Get instant contrast ratios and accessibility recommendations.

100% FreeNo LoginFaster Tool

Overview

About Accessibility Color Contrast Checker Tool

A color contrast checker calculates the contrast ratio between two colors using the WCAG 2.1 relative luminance formula, then tells you whether the pair passes Level AA (minimum) or Level AAA (enhanced) accessibility standards for normal and large text. Sufficient contrast is required by most web accessibility laws and guidelines, including WCAG, ADA, and EN 301 549.

What are the Best Color Contrast combinations?

The strongest color contrast pairs use dark text on light backgrounds for light mode, and light text on dark backgrounds for dark mode. Every combination below meets WCAG AA for normal text (4.5:1 or higher), and most reach AAA (7:1 or higher). Use these palettes as starting points for body copy, headings, buttons, and navigation — then verify your exact shades with the checker above.

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Black on White

#000000

#FFFFFF

21.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Black

#FFFFFF

#000000

21.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Charcoal on Snow

#1A1A1A

#FAFAFA

16.7:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Charcoal

#FFFFFF

#1A1A1A

17.4:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Gray on Off-White

#333333

#F5F5F5

11.6:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Navy on White

#1E3A5F

#FFFFFF

11.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Navy

#FFFFFF

#1E3A5F

11.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Soft White on Dark

#F3F4F6

#111827

16.1:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Light Slate on Midnight

#E2E8F0

#0F172A

14.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Blue on Light Blue

#1E40AF

#EFF6FF

8.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Deep Green on Mint

#14532D

#F0FDF4

8.7:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Purple on Lavender

#4C1D95

#F5F3FF

10.0:1AAA

How to use

How to use Color Contrast Checker?

1
Select Your Colors
Use the color pickers or enter hex codes to select your foreground (text) and background colors. You can click the color swatch to open a visual color picker, or type hex codes directly (e.g., #000000 for black or #ffffff for white).
2
Choose Text Size
Select whether you're testing normal text or large text. Large text is defined as 18pt (24px) or larger regular text, or 14pt (18.5px) or larger bold text. Different WCAG standards apply to different text sizes.
3
Review Results
Check the contrast ratio and WCAG compliance results. The tool will show you whether your color combination passes WCAG AA (minimum) and AAA (enhanced) standards for both normal and large text. You'll also see a live preview of how your text will appear.
4
Adjust if Needed
If your color combination doesn't meet the required standards, adjust either the foreground or background color until you achieve compliance. The tool updates in real-time, so you can see results instantly as you make changes.

Features

Top Features of Color Contrast Checker

WCAG AA & AAA Compliance

Instantly check if your color combinations meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA (minimum) and Level AAA (enhanced) standards for both normal and large text. Get clear pass/fail indicators for each compliance level.

Accurate Contrast Ratio

Calculate precise contrast ratios using the WCAG 2.1 formula. See the exact ratio displayed as a number (e.g., 4.5:1) to understand how your colors compare.

Live Preview

See exactly how your text will appear with the selected color combination. The preview updates in real-time as you adjust colors, giving you immediate visual feedback.

Color Picker & Hex Input

Use the visual color picker for easy selection or enter hex codes directly. Both methods are supported, making it convenient for designers and developers alike.

Text Size Support

Test both normal and large text sizes. The tool automatically applies the correct WCAG standards based on your text size selection, ensuring accurate compliance checking.

Free & No Registration

Completely free to use with no registration required. Test as many color combinations as you need without any limitations or hidden fees.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Quick answers about Accessibility Color Contrast Checker.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is a set of international standards for web accessibility. Color contrast is crucial because it ensures that text is readable for users with visual impairments, including those with color blindness, low vision, or age-related vision changes. Without sufficient contrast, text becomes difficult or impossible to read, excluding many users from accessing your content.

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About Accessibility Color Contrast Checker Tool

What are the Best Color Contrast combinations?

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Black on White

#000000

#FFFFFF

21.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Black

#FFFFFF

#000000

21.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Charcoal on Snow

#1A1A1A

#FAFAFA

16.7:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Charcoal

#FFFFFF

#1A1A1A

17.4:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Gray on Off-White

#333333

#F5F5F5

11.6:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Navy on White

#1E3A5F

#FFFFFF

11.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

White on Navy

#FFFFFF

#1E3A5F

11.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Soft White on Dark

#F3F4F6

#111827

16.1:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Light Slate on Midnight

#E2E8F0

#0F172A

14.5:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Blue on Light Blue

#1E40AF

#EFF6FF

8.0:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Deep Green on Mint

#14532D

#F0FDF4

8.7:1AAA

Aa Bb Cc

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Dark Purple on Lavender

#4C1D95

#F5F3FF

10.0:1AAA

How to use Color Contrast Checker?

Select Your Colors

Use the color pickers or enter hex codes to select your foreground (text) and background colors. You can click the color swatch to open a visual color picker, or type hex codes directly (e.g., #000000 for black or #ffffff for white).

Choose Text Size

Select whether you're testing normal text or large text. Large text is defined as 18pt (24px) or larger regular text, or 14pt (18.5px) or larger bold text. Different WCAG standards apply to different text sizes.

Review Results

Check the contrast ratio and WCAG compliance results. The tool will show you whether your color combination passes WCAG AA (minimum) and AAA (enhanced) standards for both normal and large text. You'll also see a live preview of how your text will appear.

Adjust if Needed

If your color combination doesn't meet the required standards, adjust either the foreground or background color until you achieve compliance. The tool updates in real-time, so you can see results instantly as you make changes.

Top Features of Color Contrast Checker