Tool description

The Accessibility Color Checker is a comprehensive tool designed to evaluate color contrast ratios between text and background colors to ensure compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). This tool helps designers, developers, and accessibility professionals create more inclusive digital experiences by providing real-time contrast analysis and WCAG compliance ratings.

The tool calculates precise contrast ratios using the WCAG-specified formula for relative luminance and provides clear feedback on whether your color combinations meet AA or AAA accessibility standards. It features an intuitive interface with color pickers, live preview functionality, and detailed compliance reporting for both normal and large text scenarios.

Features

  • Real-time Contrast Calculation: Instantly calculates contrast ratios as you adjust colors using the WCAG 2.1 formula
  • WCAG Compliance Assessment: Evaluates color combinations against both AA and AAA accessibility standards
  • Dual Text Size Analysis: Separate compliance checks for normal text (16px) and large text (18px+ or 14px+ bold)
  • Live Color Preview: Interactive preview showing how your text will appear on the selected background
  • Visual Color Pickers: Easy-to-use color input controls with hex value support
  • Smart Recommendations: Contextual suggestions based on contrast ratio results
  • Copy-friendly Results: All calculated values can be easily copied for documentation
  • Color-coded Alerts: Visual indicators showing compliance status (success/warning/danger)
  • Precise Calculations: Contrast ratios calculated to two decimal places for accuracy
  • Accessibility-first Design: The tool itself follows accessibility best practices

Use cases

  • Web Design & Development: Ensure website color schemes meet accessibility standards before launch
  • UI/UX Design: Validate color palettes during the design process to create inclusive user interfaces
  • Accessibility Audits: Quickly assess existing websites and applications for WCAG compliance
  • Brand Guidelines: Develop accessible color combinations for corporate brand standards
  • Government & Public Sector: Meet legal accessibility requirements for public-facing digital services
  • Educational Content: Create accessible learning materials with proper color contrast
  • Marketing Materials: Design promotional content that's readable by users with visual impairments
  • Mobile App Development: Ensure app interfaces meet accessibility guidelines across different screen conditions
  • Print-to-Digital Conversion: Adapt existing print materials for digital accessibility standards
  • Component Library Development: Build accessible design systems with pre-approved color combinations
  • Quality Assurance: Systematically test color combinations during development cycles
  • Accessibility Training: Demonstrate the importance of color contrast in accessibility education