Skip to content
Request a quote

Free WCAG color contrast checker

Find out whether your text is readable enough to meet WCAG 2.2 and accessibility laws. If a combination fails, we'll suggest the closest color that passes. You can also check your entire brand palette.

Large 28 px heading

Bold 19 px text, which counts as large

Regular 16 px text. This is how a paragraph will look on your website, including a link in the text.

Small 13 px text, such as a footnote.

Outline button

WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio

4.29:1

Sufficient only for large text, icons, and UI components.

APCA Lc 70for larger text and labels

  • Normal text · AA1.4.3 · at least 4.5:1Fail
  • Large text · AA1.4.3 · at least 3:1 (24 px+ text, or 18.66 px+ bold)Pass
  • Normal text · AAA1.4.6 · at least 7:1Fail
  • Large text · AAA1.4.6 · at least 4.5:1Fail
  • Icons and UI components1.4.11 · at least 3:1Pass

Closest colors that pass

How people with color vision deficiency see these colors

Protanopia · 4.29:1
Deuteranopia · 4.29:1
Tritanopia · 4.29:1
Grayscale · 4.29:1

Approximate simulation. For most types of color vision deficiency, the contrast ratio barely changes, but colors become hard to tell apart.

Enter up to 8 of your brand colors to see which combinations are readable.

Text ↓ Background →#d71920#141414#525252#ffffff#f6f6f6
#d71920
#141414
#525252
#ffffff
#f6f6f6

Click a combination to load it above. AAA = 7:1, AA = 4.5:1, AA large = 3:1 (only for text 24 px or larger, or bold text 18.66 px or larger).

Found this tool useful? Pass it on.

It's free for everyone, no sign-up needed.

By email

Guide

WCAG 2.2 color contrast, explained simply

The contrast ratio measures how much the luminance of the text differs from that of the background. It ranges from 1:1 (the same color) to 21:1 (black on white). The higher the ratio, the easier the text is to read, especially in sunlight, on lower-quality screens, and for people with low vision.

What exactly WCAG requires

  • 1.4.3 (AA): 4.5:1 for text, 3:1 for large text.
  • 1.4.6 (AAA): 7:1 for text, 4.5:1 for large text.
  • 1.4.11 (AA): 3:1 for icons, form field borders, and user interface components.

What the rules don't cover

Logos and text that is part of a logo, purely decorative elements, and inactive user interface components, such as a grayed-out button. Everything else must meet the requirements, including text over photos, placeholder text in form fields, and links.

Common mistakes

  • Light gray text on white for a “clean” look.
  • White text over a light part of a photo with no dark overlay.
  • Placeholder text that blends into the field background.
  • Marking errors with red alone, with no icon or text.

What is APCA?

APCA is a newer method for calculating contrast that better matches human perception, especially in dark mode. It's one of the candidate contrast methods for the upcoming WCAG 3, but no decision has been made yet, and it isn't a requirement. To comply with the law, go by the WCAG 2.2 contrast ratio and treat APCA as supplementary guidance.

FAQ

Readable text for everyone.

Didn't find your question? Call us and get an answer right away.

WCAG 2.2 level AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text and user interface components. Level AAA requires 7:1.

More free tools

Free online invoice generatorFill it in and download a PDF, with a QR payment code and company details loaded from ARES or the Slovak register.VAT calculatorWork out prices with and without VAT at Czech rates (21%, 12%, 0%) or Slovak rates (23%, 19%, 5%).Net salary calculator 2026Converts gross salary to net and back, with tax credits, children, and employer costs, for the Czech Republic and Slovakia.Website cost calculatorPick what you need and see a ballpark price and timeline right away.Email signature generatorA professional signature for Gmail, Outlook, and Apple Mail. Fill it in and copy it.Merge PDFCombine multiple PDFs into one file. Choose the order and which pages to include.Split PDFInto single pages, every few pages, or by custom ranges.Edit PDF pagesRotate, reorder, and delete pages. Add page numbers and a watermark.Compress PDFSmaller PDFs for email, a Czech data box, or a Slovak e-box. Four compression levels.JPG to PDFPhotos and images in one PDF, in A4 or sized to fit each image.PDF to JPGPDF pages as JPG or PNG images at up to 300 DPI.HEIC to JPG converterConvert iPhone photos to JPG, PNG, or WebP in bulk, without uploading them.Company lookupName, registered address, VAT ID, and status of any Czech or Slovak company. You can search by name, too.Self-employed tax and contributions calculator 2026Tax, social security, health insurance, and new monthly advances for the self-employed in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, plus a flat-tax comparison.Working days calculatorWorking days between dates, invoice due dates, and public holidays in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.Percentage calculatorX% of a number, percentage change, discounts, and original prices.Domain name checkerIs your domain available? Check .cz, .com, .eu, and more at once, with WHOIS details for taken ones.Character and word counterCharacters, words, standard pages, and limits for meta descriptions, X, SMS, and Instagram.Favicon generatorCreate favicon.ico, iPhone and Android icons, and the code for your website from a logo or letters.Website audit and speed testEnter a URL, and within a minute you'll know how fast your site is, how it stacks up on SEO, and what to fix.Search previewSee how your page looks in search results and when shared, with title and description length checks.Image compressorShrink photos and convert them to WebP, right in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.QR code generatorLinks, text, Wi-Fi, or QR payments. Download as PNG or SVG for print.UTM builderTag your campaign links so Google Analytics shows exactly where your visits came from.Password generatorStrong random passwords, created only in your browser.

We design for accessibility from the very first mockup.

We design websites and apps that meet WCAG, so everyone can use them comfortably.

Custom websites+420 771 166 199Mon to Fri, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Prague time) · info@listify.cool

When should we call you?

Pick a day and a time window. We'll call you, and it takes about 15 minutes.

Day