MetoolzyContrast Checker
Aa
Large Text Preview
Normal text preview — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
WCAG 2.1
Check AA and AAA compliance levels.
Live Preview
See text on background in real-time.
Color Picker
Pick foreground and background colors.
Client-side
All processing in your browser. No data uploaded.
About Contrast Checker
WCAG Contrast Checker instantly calculates the contrast ratio between any two colors and tells you whether that combination meets the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1) for legibility. Accessible color contrast is essential for users with low vision or color-blindness and is a core requirement for legal compliance in many jurisdictions. WCAG defines two conformance levels: AA (the minimum acceptable standard) requires a ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text, while AAA (the enhanced level) demands 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. Enter your foreground (text) and background colors using the color pickers or HEX input fields, and the tool computes the ratio in real time. A live preview shows sample text so you can judge readability at a glance, not just by numbers alone.
How to Use Contrast Checker
- Click the "Text Color" picker or type a HEX value to set your foreground color.
- Click the "Background" picker or type a HEX value to set your background color.
- Read the contrast ratio displayed prominently in the center — green means accessible, yellow means marginal, red means failing.
- Check the WCAG AA and AAA result badges to see exactly which levels pass or fail.
- Use the swap button (⇄) to quickly reverse the foreground and background colors.
- Adjust one or both colors until all required WCAG badges show a pass checkmark.
Frequently Asked Questions
What contrast ratio do I need to pass WCAG AA?
Normal body text needs a ratio of at least 4.5:1. Large text (18pt/24px or 14pt/18.67px bold) needs at least 3:1.
What is the difference between WCAG AA and AAA?
AA is the widely adopted minimum standard. AAA is the enhanced level requiring higher ratios (7:1 for normal text) and is typically targeted by government and healthcare sites.
My ratio is 4.2 — how do I fix it?
Darken the text color or lighten the background (or vice versa) until the ratio reaches 4.5. Even small adjustments to lightness can push a near-miss to a pass.
Does this tool handle semi-transparent colors?
The tool works with opaque HEX colors. If you are using rgba with transparency, first calculate the effective blended color on its background before testing.
Can I test colors for non-text elements like icons?
WCAG 1.4.11 (Non-text Contrast) requires a 3:1 ratio for UI components and icons. Use the Large Text AA badge as a proxy for that requirement.
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The Ultimate Contrast Checker
Contrast Checker is a powerful, free online tool designed to simplify your digital workflow. Check WCAG color contrast ratios.
In today's fast-paced digital world, efficiency is key. Whether you're a developer, designer, or digital marketer, finding reliable utilities is crucial. With our Contrast Checker, you can get things done instantly right in your browser, with absolutely no signup required.
Why Use Our Contrast Checker?
Our tool is built with performance and privacy in mind. All processing is incredibly fast, ensuring you don't waste any time.
- 100% Free: No hidden fees or premium paywalls.
- No Installation: Works instantly in any modern web browser.
- Privacy First: We respect your data. Most processing happens directly on your device.
- User-Friendly: A clean, intuitive interface that anyone can use without technical skills.
How it benefits your workflow
Integrating the Contrast Checker into your daily routine saves you valuable time. Instead of downloading bulky software or writing custom scripts, you can bookmark this page and solve your problem in just a few clicks.
Try it out today and experience the easiest way to handle your tasks!
Top 10 Free Tools Every Developer Needs
Boost your productivity instantly. Get our exclusive cheatsheet featuring the most essential web utilities you didn't know you needed, delivered straight to your inbox.
We respect your inbox. Unsubscribe at any time.