Free colour contrast checker
Enter any two colours to see whether your text is readable under the WCAG 2.1 rules that ADA accessibility claims are measured against. Nothing to install, no account needed.
Hex, rgb() or a colour name.
Hex, rgb() or a colour name.
Normal text preview
The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Large text preview
4.54:1
This passes the level most sites are held to.
- AA — normal text (needs 4.5:1) — passes
Body copy, labels, most of your page - AA — large text (needs 3:1) — passes
18pt and up, or 14pt bold - AA — icons & borders (needs 3:1) — passes
Buttons, form outlines, graphics - AAA — normal text (needs 7:1) — fails
Enhanced level, not usually required - AAA — large text (needs 4.5:1) — passes
Enhanced level for headings
Who this helps
Hard-to-read text is one of the most common problems found on small business websites, and one of the issues most often raised in accessibility complaints. It also quietly costs you customers.
Checking one pair of colours here is a start. A full scan reads every page and tells you, in plain English, what to change and why.
Scan my website freeRun a full audit and hand the client a branded PDF or shareable link covering contrast, WCAG rules, links, structured data and SEO — with fix guidance for each finding.
Two scans a day are free; paid plans cover ongoing client work.
See plansCommon questions
- What contrast ratio do I need?
- WCAG 2.1 AA requires a ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt, or 14pt bold). AAA requires 7:1 and 4.5:1. Most accessibility and ADA claims reference the AA level.
- Does low contrast really matter for my business?
- Yes. Low-contrast text is one of the most common accessibility failures found on small business websites, and it is one of the issues most often cited in ADA website complaints. It also costs you customers, because text nobody can read does not sell anything.
- Is this checker free?
- The contrast checker is completely free and needs no account. Full site scans, which check contrast on every element plus links, structured data, SEO and WCAG rules, include two free scans a day.