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WCAG Contrast Checker

100% Client-Side Privacy

Free WCAG contrast checker — test any two colors against WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA for normal text, large text and UI components.

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Quick Features

  • Exact WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio
  • AA and AAA pass/fail for normal and large text
  • Relative luminance readout for each color
  • One-click adjust to reach 4.5:1
  • Realistic text preview
  • Accessibility tips built in

How to use WCAG Contrast Checker

1

Enter two colors

Set a foreground (text) and a background color.

2

Read the verdict

See the ratio and whether it passes WCAG AA/AAA for normal and large text.

3

Fix it fast

Use the lighten/darken buttons to nudge a color to a passing ratio.

Why choose this tool

  • Completely free — no signup or hidden limits
  • Runs 100% in your browser — your data stays private
  • Instant results, no downloads or installs
  • Works on any device with a modern browser

Common Use Cases

  • Ensure body text meets WCAG AA before launch
  • Audit brand color combinations for accessibility
  • Pick accessible button and link colors
  • Comply with ADA and similar accessibility regulations

Technical Details

Standard: WCAG 2.1 (AA 4.5:1 normal / 3:1 large, AAA 7:1 / 4.5:1)
Method: Relative luminance (sRGB linearization)
Processing: 100% client-side
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Frequently Asked Questions

What contrast ratio do I need for WCAG AA?

Normal text needs 4.5:1. Large text (18pt+, or 14pt bold+) and UI components need 3:1. AAA raises normal text to 7:1.

What is contrast ratio?

A ratio between two colors' relative luminance, from 1:1 (identical) to 21:1 (black on white). Higher is more readable.

Why does large text need less contrast?

Larger glyphs are easier to distinguish, so WCAG allows a lower ratio for large text and graphical objects.

Does dark text on white always pass?

Usually, but very light grays can still fail. Always check the actual pair — this tool does it in one step.

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WCAG contrast checker

Foreground (text)

relative luminance L = 0.0133

Background

relative luminance L = 1.0000

Result

Aa

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. This text sample shows how the pair reads in real use.

16.58: 1 contrast ratio

AAA — passes WCAG AAA (exceeds by 1.5+)

Normal textAAA
Large text (18pt+) & UIAAA

AA needs ≥ 4.5:1 (normal) or ≥ 3:1 (large). AAA needs ≥ 7:1 (normal) or ≥ 4.5:1 (large).

Accessibility tips

Don't rely on color alone

Always pair color with icons, text or patterns — color-blind users may not distinguish color-coded states.

Test on both ends

The same text color may pass on white but fail on a brand-colored background. Check every pairing you ship.

Large text gets a pass

WCAG requires less contrast for large (≥18pt or ≥14pt bold) text and UI components: 3:1 instead of 4.5:1.

Use the adjust buttons

One click lightens or darkens a color just enough to reach a 4.5:1 ratio, so you can fix pairs fast.