Color Contrast Calculator

COLOR 1 COLOR 2 COLOR 3
COLOR 4 COLOR 5 COLOR 6

What is a Color Contrast Calculator?
A color contrast calculator is a tool used to measure the contrast ratio between two colors, typically foreground (like text) and background (like a webpage or design element). It calculates how readable or distinguishable the two colors are based on the WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) to ensure they meet accessibility standards. This is crucial for users with visual impairments, especially those with color blindness or low vision.

For example, the contrast between white (#FFFFFF) text and black (#000000) background would be high, providing good readability.

Why use a Color Contrast Calculator?

  • Accessibility: To ensure that content is readable by everyone, including those with visual impairments.
  • Web design standards: To make sure your designs meet WCAG guidelines for contrast ratios.
  • Better user experience: High contrast improves legibility and usability, especially in low-light environments.
  • Compliance: Many accessibility laws and regulations require meeting minimum contrast ratios for web and digital content.

How does a Color Contrast Calculator work?
The calculator works by measuring the luminosity (brightness) of two colors and using the formula:

  1. Convert the RGB values of the foreground and background colors into luminosity values.
  2. Calculate the contrast ratio based on the difference in luminosity between the two colors.
  3. The result is a ratio (e.g., 4.5:1).

WCAG Guidelines provide the following standards:

  • Normal text should have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1.
  • Large text should have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
  • For AA compliance: 4.5:1 (normal text) and 3:1 (large text).
  • For AAA compliance: 7:1 (normal text) and 4.5:1 (large text).

For example:

  • White text on black background (#FFFFFF and #000000): The contrast ratio might be 21:1, which is excellent.
  • Light gray text on white background (#D3D3D3 and #FFFFFF): The contrast ratio might be 2.5:1, which does not meet the WCAG standards for normal text.

When would you use a Color Contrast Calculator?

  • Web design: To ensure text is readable and meets accessibility guidelines.
  • App design: For creating user-friendly, accessible mobile and desktop applications.
  • Digital artwork: If creating web or graphic content, use it to avoid color choices that could be difficult to read.
  • User interface (UI) and user experience (UX): For better visual clarity and ensuring accessibility for a broader range of users.