Color Contrast Checker
WCAG 2 ratios and APCA, with fixes suggested.
Color Contrast Checker measures the contrast between a foreground and background colour, reports the WCAG 2.1 ratio with AA and AAA pass or fail for normal and large text, and shows the newer APCA score. When a pair fails, it suggests the nearest passing colour rather than only reporting the failure.
Loading Color Contrast Checker…
Runs entirely on your device. No file or text you enter here is uploaded. How to verify it.
How to use Color Contrast Checker
- Set a foreground and background colour.
- Read the ratio and the AA/AAA verdicts.
- Accept a suggested adjustment if it fails.
Questions about Color Contrast Checker
What ratio do I need?
WCAG 2.1 AA asks for 4.5:1 for normal text, 3:1 for large text (18.66px bold or 24px regular) and 3:1 for UI components and graphical objects. AAA raises the text requirements to 7:1 and 4.5:1.
What is APCA and should I use it instead?
A newer contrast model that accounts for how text weight, size and polarity affect legibility — WCAG 2 ratios are known to be too lenient for light text on dark backgrounds and too strict in places. APCA is a candidate for WCAG 3, so treat it as informative and conform to WCAG 2 for compliance today.
Does the check apply to disabled or placeholder text?
WCAG exempts disabled controls, but placeholder text is regular text and must pass. Grey-on-grey placeholders are one of the most common failures on the web.
Can it check text over a photo or a gradient?
Not directly — it compares two flat colours. For a photographic or gradient background, sample the lightest and the darkest point behind the text and check both. If either fails, add a solid panel or a scrim rather than trusting the average.
Is passing contrast enough for an accessibility audit?
No. Contrast is one success criterion among dozens: focus order, labels, keyboard operation, heading structure and alternative text all sit outside what a colour tool can see. Clearing 1.4.3 removes one of the most common failures — it does not replace a proper review.
Is Color Contrast Checker really free, with no limits?
Yes. There is no account, no daily cap, no file-size tier and no watermark, because there is no server cost to recover. The site is funded by clearly disclosed partner recommendations on the Partners page, never by metering the tools.
Are my files or text uploaded when I use Color Contrast Checker?
No. Everything is processed by JavaScript running in your browser, on your device. You can verify it: open your browser's developer tools, switch to the Network tab, and use the tool. You will see no request carrying your data — because there is nowhere for it to go.