What is a good contrast ratio?

WCAG recommends at least 4.5:1 for normal text (AA level) and 7:1 for enhanced readability (AAA level). Large text (18px+ bold or 24px+) requires only 3:1.

What do AA and AAA mean?

AA is the minimum accessibility standard for most websites. AAA is the highest standard, providing maximum readability for users with visual impairments.

Does it work with transparent backgrounds?

The tool works with solid colors. For transparency, determine the effective color (after blending with the underlying layer) and enter that.

Why is contrast important?

Low contrast text is difficult to read for everyone, especially people with low vision or color blindness. Many countries legally require websites to meet WCAG AA standards.

Contrast Checker

Check color contrast ratios for WCAG accessibility compliance. Ensure your designs are readable for everyone.

contrast ratiowcagaccessibilitya11y

Common Use Cases

rapid visual exploration and iteration
checking accessibility or color relationships
building a quick draft before moving into design software

What is Contrast Checker?

The Contrast Checker calculates the contrast ratio between a text color and background color according to WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) standards. It tells you whether your color combination passes AA (minimum 4.5:1 for normal text) and AAA (7:1 for normal text) compliance levels. Essential for designers building accessible websites and applications.

How to Use This Tool

1Enter foreground (text) and background colors
2See the contrast ratio calculated in real-time
3Check WCAG AA and AAA compliance levels

Example

Input

Text: #333333, Background: #FFFFFF

Output

Ratio: 12.63:1 - WCAG AAA Pass

Before You Rely on This Result

UtilityNest keeps this tool simple on purpose: the goal is to make the task easy to understand, fast to complete, and straightforward to double-check.

Review the inputs once more before you copy, save, or share the result.
Use the example and FAQ on this page to sense-check how the tool behaves.
When the result matters, compare one more scenario or related tool before acting on it.

Frequently Asked Questions

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