Free Color Contrast Checker
Check any text color against any background for WCAG AA and AAA — and when it fails, get the closest color that passes.
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Tell us what went wrong — it helps us fix the tool. Only what you type below is sent.
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| Feature | Free | Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Single pair AA / AAA check | Yes | Yes |
| Closest passing color fix | Yes | Yes |
| Live normal + large text preview | Yes | Yes |
| Whole-palette audit (many pairs at once) | — | Yes |
| Tailwind / CSS variable export | — | Yes |
| Color-blindness simulation preview | — | Yes |
| Ads | Shown on page | Ad-free |
| Updates | — | Lifetime free updates |
Frequently asked questions
What ratios does WCAG require?
Normal text: AA 4.5:1, AAA 7:1. Large text (at least 24px, or 18.66px bold): AA 3:1, AAA 4.5:1. UI components and icons: AA 3:1. AA is the level most products and regulations target.
Is a pass here a full accessibility audit?
No. This checks color contrast only — not font size in context, keyboard navigation, screen-reader labels or images behind text. Treat a pass as a guideline check, not a compliance certificate.
How does the "closest passing color" work?
It keeps your hue and saturation and nudges lightness by 1% steps in both directions, picking the smallest change that reaches the target ratio. Your brand color changes as little as possible.
Why does #999999 on white fail?
It scores about 2.85:1 — below even the 3:1 large-text AA bar. It is a classic "looks fine on my monitor" gray; the fixer suggests a darker gray (around #767676) that clears AA.