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WCAG Contrast Checker

WCAG 2.2 AA · AAA · Normal text · Large text · UI components · APCA preview — 100% local

Enter a text color and a background color to instantly check their contrast ratio against WCAG 2.2. Get pass/fail badges for every accessibility level — AA and AAA, normal and large text, plus UI components. No data is ever sent to a server.

Normal text — The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog. (16px)

Large heading — Accessibility matters. (24px bold)

← UI component example
— : 1
AA ≥ 4.5 : 1
Normal text
AA ≥ 3 : 1
Large text (18pt / 14pt bold)
AA ≥ 3 : 1
UI components & graphics
AAA ≥ 7 : 1
Normal text (enhanced)
AAA ≥ 4.5 : 1
Large text (enhanced)
APCA (WCAG 3 preview) · Lc ≥ 60 for body text · Lc ≥ 45 for large text

WCAG 2.2 Contrast Requirements

WCAG 2.2 Success Criteria 1.4.3 (AA) and 1.4.6 (AAA) define minimum contrast ratios. Meeting at least AA is a legal requirement in many jurisdictions under accessibility laws like ADA, EN 301 549, and RGAA.

CriterionLevelMin. ratioApplies to
1.4.3AA4.5 : 1Normal text (below 18pt / 14pt bold)
1.4.3AA3 : 1Large text (≥ 18pt or ≥ 14pt bold)
1.4.11AA3 : 1UI components, icons, focus indicators
1.4.6AAA7 : 1Normal text
1.4.6AAA4.5 : 1Large text

Features

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a WCAG contrast ratio?

A contrast ratio is calculated from the relative luminance of two colors. The formula is (L1 + 0.05) / (L2 + 0.05) where L1 is the lighter color's luminance. A ratio of 1:1 means identical colors; 21:1 is black on white.

What is the difference between WCAG AA and AAA?

AA (the standard requirement) needs 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. AAA (enhanced) needs 7:1 and 4.5:1. AA is the minimum for legal compliance in most countries; AAA is ideal for maximum accessibility.

What counts as "large text"?

WCAG defines large text as at least 18pt (24px) regular weight, or 14pt (approximately 18.67px) bold. CSS: font-size: 1.5rem or font-size: 1.17rem; font-weight: bold.

What is APCA?

APCA (Advanced Perceptual Contrast Algorithm) is the algorithm proposed for WCAG 3. It measures "lightness contrast" (Lc) and is more accurate for perceptual contrast, especially on dark backgrounds and mid-tone colors. Lc 60 is the target for body text.

Does this tool send my colors to a server?

No. All calculations run in JavaScript in your browser. No color value or design data is ever transmitted to any server.

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