Convert color formats and test text contrast against dark and light backgrounds to meet WCAG 2.1 accessibility standards.
Good design is readable design. Pairing light gray text with white backgrounds or dark blue with black makes websites hard to read on phone screens outdoors. Contrast checking calculates the ratio between text and background to guarantee clear readability for everyone.
Worked example: Check if cyan text on a dark obsidian background meets accessibility standards
Input
Foreground text color #38bdf8 (Cyan) on background #09090b (Dark Obsidian).
Expected result
A contrast ratio of 9.4:1, earning a passing rating for WCAG AA and AAA standards.
A ratio above 7:1 passes the highest accessibility standard, ensuring text is easily readable on all screens and lighting conditions.
Before you use the result
- Aim for a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for standard body text.
- Large headings (18pt+ or bold 14pt+) require at least 3:1 contrast.
- Test colors across both dark mode and light mode backgrounds.
If the result is not what you expected
My brand color fails contrast testing on white backgrounds.
Darken the shade slightly for small body text, or use the brand color for decorative borders and icons while using a higher-contrast neutral for paragraphs.
Step-by-Step Walkthrough
Enter a Color
Pick a hue using the color picker or type a HEX value.
Check Contrast
Test readability against dark and light backgrounds to verify WCAG standards.
Copy Codes
Click any format to copy its values into your stylesheet or design file.
Key Capabilities & Features
Synchronized conversion across HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK values
WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA readability contrast rating calculation
Harmonic palette generator for complementary, analogous, and triadic schemes
Visual color swatch preview with 1-click clipboard copy
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to try Color Converter & Contrast Checker?
Open Color Converter & Contrast Checker and try the example from this guide. Check the tool page for supported formats, limits, and access requirements.