Palette Contrast Checker

Visually compare two colors and check their accessibility contrast ratio according to WCAG standards. Ensure your designs are beautiful and accessible for everyone.

Color Selection

Foreground Color

Background Color

Contrast Results

Contrast Ratio

21.00
AAA AA

Text Preview

This is how your text will look with these colors

Accessibility Information

WCAG 2.1 requires:

  • AA rating - Contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text
  • AAA rating - Contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text
  • Large text - At least 3:1 for AA and 4.5:1 for AAA

About This Tool

The Palette Contrast Checker is a free online tool designed for designers, developers, and content creators who need to ensure their color combinations meet accessibility standards. With a simple and intuitive interface, you can visually compare two colors and get immediate feedback on their contrast ratio.

This tool helps you create designs that are not only visually appealing but also accessible to people with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies. By following WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards, you can make your digital content inclusive for all users.

Key benefits of using the Palette Contrast Checker:

  • Instant feedback: See contrast results in real-time as you adjust colors
  • Accessibility compliance: Ensure your designs meet WCAG 2.1 standards
  • Visual comparison: See exactly how your text will look on the background
  • Completely free: No signup required, no limits, no costs
  • Works everywhere: Responsive design works on desktop, tablet, and mobile

Whether you're designing a website, creating a presentation, or developing an application, this tool helps you make informed decisions about your color choices. Accessible design is not just a legal requirement in many cases - it's also good design practice that benefits all users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is color contrast and why is it important?

Color contrast refers to the difference in light between the foreground (text) and its background. It's crucial for accessibility because people with visual impairments or color vision deficiencies may have difficulty reading text with insufficient contrast. Adequate contrast ensures your content is readable by everyone.

What do AA and AAA ratings mean?

These are conformance levels from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG):

  • AA (Level AA): Minimum contrast for standard text is 4.5:1
  • AAA (Level AAA): Enhanced contrast for standard text is 7:1

AA is the standard recommendation for most websites, while AAA is ideal for content aimed at users with visual impairments.

How is contrast ratio calculated?

Contrast ratio is calculated using the relative luminance of the lighter color (L1) to the darker color (L2). The formula is:

(L1 + 0.05) / (L2 + 0.05)

Where L1 and L2 are the relative luminance values of the colors (ranging from 0 for black to 1 for white). This formula accounts for how the human eye perceives brightness.

Is this tool completely free to use?

Yes, the Palette Contrast Checker is 100% free to use with no limitations. There are no hidden fees, no account requirements, and no usage limits. We believe accessibility tools should be available to everyone.

Can I use this tool for commercial projects?

Absolutely! You can use this tool for both personal and commercial projects. There are no restrictions on how you use the color combinations you test with this tool.

Made with for designers and developers | Palette Contrast Checker © 2023