Color Contrast Checker

Ensure your email text meets WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards. Calculate contrast ratios between text and background colors, verify AA and AAA compliance, and get instant recommendations for improvement.

Color Contrast Validator

Check if your text and background colors meet WCAG 2.1 contrast requirements. Aim for a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Quick Presets:

Understanding Color Contrast and WCAG Compliance

What is Color Contrast?

Color contrast is the difference in light between the foreground (text) and background colors. The WCAG 2.1 guidelines specify minimum contrast ratios to ensure text is readable for people with visual impairments, including color blindness and low vision.

Contrast ratio is calculated using the relative luminance values of the two colors and is expressed as a ratio (e.g., 4.5:1). The first number represents the lighter color, and higher ratios indicate better contrast.

WCAG 2.1 Contrast Requirements

WCAG AA (Standard)

  • Normal text: Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
  • Large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold): Minimum 3:1 contrast ratio

WCAG AAA (Enhanced)

  • Normal text: Minimum 7:1 contrast ratio
  • Large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold): Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio

How to Use This Tool

  • Enter Colors: Use the color pickers or type hex codes, RGB, HSL, or named colors
  • Real-Time Results: See the contrast ratio calculated instantly as you change colors
  • Visual Preview: View how your text actually looks on the background
  • Compliance Check: See pass/fail indicators for WCAG AA and AAA levels
  • Get Suggestions: Receive actionable recommendations to improve contrast
  • Try Presets: Use quick presets to see examples of good contrast

Why Color Contrast Matters for Emails

  • Accessibility: 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have color blindness
  • Legal Compliance: ADA, Section 508, and international laws require accessible content
  • Better Readability: High contrast improves readability for all users, not just those with visual impairments
  • Mobile Viewing: Screens in bright sunlight require higher contrast to remain readable
  • Aging Population: Vision naturally declines with age - good contrast helps older readers
  • Professional Image: Demonstrates attention to detail and commitment to inclusivity

Common Contrast Mistakes

Light Gray on White

Using #CCCCCC or lighter grays on white backgrounds fails WCAG requirements. Minimum is #767676 for normal text.

Colored Text on Colored Backgrounds

Blue on purple, red on green - similar colors often fail contrast checks even if they look distinct.

Light Text on Images

White or light text overlaid on photos may not have enough contrast. Use dark overlays or text shadows.

Low Contrast Links

Links must have sufficient contrast against both the background AND surrounding text for accessibility.

Best Practices for Email Color Contrast

  • Use pure black (#000000) or dark gray (#333333) on white backgrounds for maximum readability
  • Test your colors - don't rely on visual judgment alone
  • Aim for WCAG AA minimum, strive for AAA when possible
  • Consider color blindness - don't rely on color alone to convey information
  • Use larger font sizes (18pt+) if you can't achieve 4.5:1 contrast
  • Add dark overlays (50-70% opacity) behind text on photos
  • Test in different lighting conditions and on different screens
  • Make links visually distinct beyond color (underline, bold, etc.)
  • Avoid pure red or green text (difficult for colorblind users)
  • Use contrast for emphasis instead of relying on color changes

Supported Color Formats

Hex Colors

#000000, #FFFFFF, #FF5733, #abc (3-digit shorthand)

RGB/RGBA

rgb(255, 0, 0), rgba(0, 128, 255, 0.5)

HSL/HSLA

hsl(120, 100%, 50%), hsla(240, 100%, 50%, 0.8)

Named Colors

black, white, red, blue, green, gray, etc.

Related Tools

Use these complementary tools to further improve your email accessibility and deliverability: