Developer Tools toolsUpdated July 2026
Free Color Contrast Checker
Check whether a text and background color combination meets WCAG accessibility contrast requirements, directly in your browser.
Free online tool
No signup
Instant results
Browser-first privacy
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The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog
Contrast ratio: 21:1
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How to check color contrast
- Pick a text color and a background color.
- See the live contrast ratio and preview.
- Check which WCAG levels the combination passes.
How this works
The contrast ratio is calculated using the WCAG 2.x relative luminance formula, applied directly to the two colors you choose — no file is uploaded, and no server-side processing is involved.
Common use cases
- Check whether a text/background color pair meets WCAG AA or AAA requirements
- Verify color accessibility before shipping a design
- Compare two colors' contrast ratio quickly
Frequently asked questions
Is this color contrast checker free?
Yes. It is completely free, with no signup and no limits.
What contrast ratio do I need?
WCAG AA requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (18pt+ or 14pt+ bold); AAA requires 7:1 and 4.5:1 respectively.
Why does accessibility contrast matter?
Low-contrast text is difficult or impossible to read for users with low vision or color vision deficiencies, and WCAG contrast requirements are referenced by many accessibility regulations.