Color Contrast Checker
Check WCAG 2.2 AA & AAA compliance instantly. Get auto-fix suggestions and color blindness simulation.
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HEX · rgb(26,26,46) · hsl(240,29%,14%)
HEX · rgb(255,255,255) · hsl(0,0%,100%)
Contrast Ratio
17.06:1
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
WCAG 2.2 requires a minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text (AA). This preview shows how your text looks to users.
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Color Blindness Simulation
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Batch Palette Tester
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WCAG 2.2 Contrast Requirements
| Text type | Level AA | Level AAA |
|---|---|---|
| Normal text (<18px or <14px bold) | 4.5:1 | 7:1 |
| Large text (18px+ or 14px+ bold) | 3:1 | 4.5:1 |
| UI components & graphics | 3:1 | — |
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Color contrast is just one of 50+ WCAG 2.2 checks. ADAGuard scans your entire site and shows every issue with fix guidance.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is color contrast in web accessibility?
Color contrast refers to the difference in luminance between text and its background. Sufficient contrast ensures that people with low vision or color blindness can read content. WCAG 2.2 defines minimum contrast ratios that websites must meet for ADA and legal compliance.
What is the minimum contrast ratio for WCAG AA compliance?
WCAG 2.2 Level AA requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18px or larger, or 14px bold or larger). This applies to ADA compliance, EAA, and most global accessibility laws.
What is WCAG AAA contrast ratio?
WCAG AAA (enhanced) requires 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. AAA is not legally required for most sites but is best practice for maximum accessibility.
How do I fix color contrast failures?
The easiest fix is to darken your text color or lighten your background (or vice versa) until the ratio reaches 4.5:1. Use the auto-fix suggestions above — our tool finds the closest passing color to your original while preserving your brand hue.
Does color contrast affect SEO?
Yes. A 2025 study by AccessibilityChecker.org and Semrush found that accessible websites saw a 23% average increase in organic traffic and 27% more ranking keywords. Google's guidelines also reference accessibility as a quality signal.
What about color blindness and contrast?
Approximately 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color blindness. The most common types are deuteranopia (green-blind) and protanopia (red-blind). Use the color blindness simulator above to preview how your colors appear to affected users — it covers all 8 types including anomalous trichromacy variants.
What is APCA and how is it different from WCAG contrast?
APCA (Accessible Perceptual Contrast Algorithm) is a next-generation contrast model developed by the W3C Silver/WCAG 3.0 working group. Unlike the WCAG 2.x contrast ratio, APCA accounts for polarity (light text on dark vs dark on light), font weight, and spatial frequency — making it more perceptually accurate. APCA is not yet a legal requirement but is expected to replace the current algorithm in WCAG 3.0. Use the Lc score above as a forward-compatibility check alongside your WCAG 2.2 results.
Does the European Accessibility Act require color contrast compliance?
Yes. The European Accessibility Act (EAA), which took effect June 28, 2025, requires businesses selling products or services in the EU to meet EN 301 549 accessibility standards, which incorporate WCAG 2.1 Level AA — including the 4.5:1 contrast requirement for normal text. Non-compliance can result in market withdrawal orders and fines from national enforcement authorities.
What contrast ratio do UI components and icons need?
WCAG 2.2 Success Criterion 1.4.11 (Non-text Contrast) requires a minimum 3:1 contrast ratio for UI components — including form field borders, button outlines, focus indicators, icons, and data visualisation elements — against their adjacent colors. This applies at Level AA and is required by ADA, EAA, and Section 508.