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WCAG Contrast Checker

Check text/background contrast against WCAG AA and AAA standards.

Large Text Preview

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

16.89: 1
AA Normal Text (≥4.5) Pass
AA Large Text (≥3) Pass
AAA Normal Text (≥7) Pass
AAA Large Text (≥4.5) Pass

Related Guide

WCAG Contrast Checker: How Much Contrast Does Your Text Actually Need?

Read Guide →

About This Tool

Free WCAG contrast checker — enter a text color and background color to instantly calculate the contrast ratio and see whether it passes WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA accessibility standards for normal and large text. No sign-up, no upload, entirely browser-based. Web designers and developers use this to make sure body text, buttons, and links remain readable for users with low vision or color blindness, and to meet accessibility compliance requirements (WCAG is the basis for ADA and Section 508 compliance in many jurisdictions). The tool shows a live text preview on the chosen background so you can visually confirm readability alongside the numeric ratio and pass/fail badges.

How to Use

  1. 1

    Set the text color

    Pick or type the HEX value of your text color.

  2. 2

    Set the background color

    Pick or type the HEX value of the background it sits on.

  3. 3

    Read the result

    See the exact contrast ratio and pass/fail badges for WCAG AA and AAA, for both normal and large text.

Frequently Asked Questions

What contrast ratio do I need for WCAG AA?+
WCAG AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold).
What is the difference between AA and AAA?+
AAA is the stricter standard, requiring at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text, versus 4.5:1 and 3:1 for AA.
Why does color contrast matter for accessibility?+
Low contrast text is difficult or impossible to read for users with low vision, color blindness, or in bright ambient light — sufficient contrast is a core requirement of WCAG and most accessibility laws.

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