Color Contrast Checker (WCAG) Community
Questions, answers and tips from people who use the Color Contrast Checker (WCAG). Check text and background contrast for accessibility.
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This page shows only real posts from real people, so it starts empty. The guide below has the questions people most often have about the Color Contrast Checker (WCAG). Pick one to start a thread, or write your own.
From the tool guide: common questions about Color Contrast Checker (WCAG)
The items below are not posts by community members. They come from the written guide for this tool and are here to get a conversation started. Use “Ask a follow-up” to open a thread about any of them.
What is a good contrast ratio?
At least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (WCAG AA). 7:1 is AAA.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upWhat counts as large text?
18 pt (24 px) or 14 pt (about 18.7 px) bold and above.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upDoes contrast matter for SEO?
Accessibility is part of page experience and helps user engagement.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upIs WCAG a legal requirement?
In many countries accessibility standards apply to public and commercial sites.
From the tool guide Ask a follow-upWhat this tool does
Good colour contrast makes text readable for everyone, including people with low vision or colour blindness and anyone using a phone in bright sunlight. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) set minimum contrast ratios: 4.5:1 for normal text at AA level, 3:1 for large text, and 7:1 for normal text at the stricter AAA level.
How to use it, step by step
- Choose the text (foreground) colour.
- Choose the background colour.
- Read the contrast ratio and the pass/fail badges.
- Adjust colours until you pass the level you need.
Tips from the guide
- Aim for at least 4.5:1 for body text.
- Do not rely on colour alone to convey meaning.
- Test on both light and dark modes.
- Increase font weight or size if contrast is borderline.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Testing only the main text and forgetting link and button states.
- Assuming dark grey on white always passes.
- Ignoring text over images and gradients.
Who uses it
- Web designers. Check palettes before handing over designs.
- Developers. Verify accessibility compliance.
- Content teams. Make sure banners and buttons are legible.
How to ask a question people can answer
A good thread on the Color Contrast Checker (WCAG) saves everyone time. Start with a title that names the exact problem, such as the input you used, the result you expected and the result you got. A title like “Not working” is hard to answer, while a title with the specifics gets replies quickly.
- Say what you tried. List the steps you followed and any settings you changed, so replies do not repeat what you already did.
- Share a small example. A short sample input and the output you saw is worth more than a long description. Remove anything private first.
- Mention your setup. Your device, browser and whether you are on a phone or a computer can explain many odd results.
- One question per thread. Separate topics get clearer answers and are easier to find later with the search box above.
- Come back and reply. If a suggestion worked, say so and upvote it, and if you found the fix yourself, post it for the next person.
Community rules
Be kind, stay on topic and keep personal data out of your posts. Do not post adult, hateful or illegal content, advertising or repeated links. Every post is shown with its author’s username and date, and posts that break these rules can be hidden by moderators. This space is for help with the Color Contrast Checker (WCAG) and related tasks, and it is separate from the sitewide discussion forum where broader topics live.