Colour Contrast Checker

Make sure your text is actually readable. Pick a text and background colour and this shows the contrast ratio and whether it passes WCAG AA and AAA — the accessibility standards that also keep your design legible.

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What the WCAG levels mean

AA (4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large) is the standard most sites should meet; AAA (7:1) is stricter, for maximum accessibility. Low contrast doesn't just fail audits — it loses readers on phones and in sunlight. If your light-grey-on-white looks elegant but scores below 4.5:1, darken the text. Good contrast is good design.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good contrast ratio?

At least 4.5:1 for normal text (WCAG AA), or 3:1 for large text. 7:1 meets the stricter AAA level. Higher is more readable for everyone.

Why does contrast matter beyond accessibility?

Low-contrast text is hard to read on phones, in bright light, or for anyone with less-than-perfect vision — so you lose real readers, not just audit points.

How do I fix failing contrast?

Darken the text or lighten the background until the ratio passes. Keep your brand colour for accents, not body text, where contrast matters most.

This tool is free and runs entirely in your browser. The link above is an affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you, and it never changes our honest take.