Color Contrast Checker: Make Every Word Easy to Read
Test your text and background colors against WCAG standards in seconds and see which pairs pass, which fail, and how to fix the ones that strain eyes.
2 credits per run. 20 free credits when you sign up, no credit card required.
example.com
ExampleColor Contrast Checker: 3 conversion leaks
- Call to action above the foldYes
- Form fields7 (aim for 3–5)
- Trust signals near CTANone
- Mobile tap targets5 too small
Example result with sample data. Yours uses live data for your inputs.
How it works
From your input to a prioritised list of fixes in under a minute.
- Step 1
Enter your details
Your website, business or the item you want checked. Nothing to install.
- Step 2
We run live checks
Brainito fetches live data and tests it against the rules that matter.
- Step 3
Fix what matters first
Clear results with what to fix, in order of impact, and where to go next.
What you get
What the result tells you, and why it is worth the minute it takes.
Instant WCAG Results
See pass or fail against WCAG AA and AAA levels for normal and large text in a single glance.
Fix Suggestions Built In
Failing pairs come with nearby shades that pass, so you keep your brand look and gain clarity.
Readable for Every Visitor
Good contrast helps low-vision users, phones in bright sunlight, and everyone skimming in a hurry.
The guide
What the color contrast checker does, how to use it, and what to do with the result.
A color contrast checker compares the color of your text against its background and reports the exact contrast ratio. It flags pairs that fall below accessibility thresholds so low-vision and mobile users can still read your copy. Paste or pick two colors, and the tool shows whether the combination passes WCAG AA and AAA for normal and large text.
What the Color Contrast Checker Measures
The color contrast checker reads the luminance of two colors, your foreground text and the surface behind it, then calculates the ratio between them. Ratios run from 1:1 for identical colors to 21:1 for pure black on white. The tool checks that value against WCAG AA, which asks for 4.5:1 on body text and 3:1 on large text, plus the stricter AAA level. It evaluates normal weight, bold, and large sizes separately, since bigger type stays legible at lower ratios. You also see the raw hex values so you can document approved combinations for your design system.
How to Fix Low-Contrast Color Pairs
When a pair fails, start by darkening the text or lightening the background rather than swapping the hue entirely, which keeps your brand palette intact. Nudge the lightness value in small steps and recheck until the ratio clears 4.5:1. For buttons and links, treat the contrast between the element and the page as its own test. Avoid relying on color alone to signal state, since users with low vision may miss it; pair color with underlines, icons, or labels. Save the passing hex codes so writers and developers reuse combinations that already meet the standard.
Why Contrast Ratios Affect UX and Rankings
Readable contrast keeps visitors on the page, and stronger engagement signals support your search performance over time. Accessibility is also a direct ranking and compliance concern: legible color pairs help every visitor, including those on dim phone screens in bright sun. Failing contrast frustrates users, raises bounce, and can expose you to accessibility complaints under standards many regions now enforce. By clearing WCAG thresholds across headings, body copy, and calls to action, you widen your audience and remove a common reason people abandon a page before converting. Contrast is a small fix with outsized reach.
Frequently asked questions
Something else? Email support@brainito.com
What contrast ratio does my text need to pass?
WCAG requires at least 4.5 to 1 for normal text and 3 to 1 for large text at the AA level. AAA raises those to 7 to 1 and 4.5 to 1. The checker tests your color pairs against both levels automatically.
Does the checker scan my whole website?
You enter your site and the checker reviews the visible text and background color pairs it finds on the page, flagging combinations that fall below WCAG thresholds so you know exactly what to adjust.
Is the Color Contrast Checker free?
It is free to try. Every new Brainito account comes with 20 free credits, and each run costs 2 credits. Test as many color pairs and pages as you like while you tune your palette, and recheck after every design change.
Where to go from here
The color contrast checker answers one question. These are the next ones worth asking.
Check your color contrast against WCAG standards in seconds
One account unlocks the color contrast checker plus 320+ marketing tools, weekly audits and your action plan.
- 20 free credits when you sign up
- 2 credits per run
- No credit card required