When to Use This Tool
- Verifying accessibility compliance for web interface buttons and icons.
- Testing foreground and background color combinations for readability.
- Ensuring brand colors meet AA or AAA standards before production.
Step-by-Step Workflow
- Open the tool
Navigate to the WCAG Color Contrast Checker on the Bluesky Labs website.
- Enter inputs
Enter your primary foreground color (text) into the first input field.
- Enter inputs
Enter your background color into the second input field.
- Run the action
Review the calculated contrast ratio and pass/fail status for AA and AAA levels.
- Adjust options
Adjust colors until the tool indicates a passing status for your target accessibility standard.
Best Practices
- Aim for at least a 4.5:1 ratio to meet WCAG AA standards for normal text.
- Use higher contrast ratios (7:1) for small text or complex backgrounds.
- Test both light-on-dark and dark-on-light color combinations.
- Verify that interactive elements like links maintain high visibility against their containers.
FAQ
What is the difference between WCAG AA and AAA?
AA is the standard requirement for most web content, while AAA is a stricter level of accessibility for enhanced readability.
Does this tool check colors locally?
Yes, the tool verifies your color contrast compliance locally within your browser.