Pinnacle Toolbox

Contrast Checker

Check WCAG color contrast ratios for accessibility.

Sample Heading

The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.

Smaller body text for readability preview.

17.74:1

Contrast Ratio

WCAG LevelNormal TextLarge Text (18pt+)
AA (4.5:1 / 3:1)PassPass
AAA (7:1 / 4.5:1)PassPass

About this Contrast Checker

Contrast Checker evaluates foreground and background color pairs against WCAG contrast ratios so designers and developers catch inaccessible text before launch. Enter two colors, read the ratio, and see whether AA or AAA thresholds pass for normal and large text. Product teams gate releases on contrast; freelancers document accessibility in handoffs; marketers avoid low-contrast overlays on busy heroes. Checking is client-side—brand explorations stay private while you iterate. Remember contrast is necessary but not sufficient: font size, weight, and non-color cues still matter for readable interfaces, especially for users with low vision. Retest after marketing overlays photos behind headline text—photos change effective contrast. Document AA versus AAA targets in your design system so debates stay objective. Include disabled-state colors in audits; low-contrast disables confuse many users.

How to use

  1. 1Enter or pick the foreground (text) color.
  2. 2Enter or pick the background color.
  3. 3Read the contrast ratio and WCAG pass/fail indicators.
  4. 4Adjust either color until AA or AAA targets pass as required.
  5. 5Copy the approved pair into your design tokens or CSS.

About the Free Contrast Checker

Our free contrast checker lets you check WCAG color contrast ratios for accessibility. Everything runs locally in your browser — no account, no upload to servers, and no waiting.

Whether you searched for "contrast checker" or need a reliable design & color utility, Pinnacle Toolbox delivers instant results. Join thousands of users who prefer privacy-first tools that work on any device.

Part of our free design & color tools collection, this tool is designed for speed and simplicity. Open it, paste or upload your input, and get results immediately.

Contrast Checker Features

  • 100% free with no hidden limits
  • Runs entirely in your browser — data stays private
  • No login, sign-up, or email required
  • Works on desktop, tablet, and mobile
  • Instant processing with no server round-trip

When to Use Contrast Checker

  • Picking brand colors and building accessible palettes
  • Converting color formats for CSS and design tools
  • Checking text contrast for WCAG accessibility compliance
  • Generating CSS gradients for websites and apps

Frequently asked questions

What ratio do WCAG AA and AAA require?
For normal text, AA typically needs 4.5:1 and AAA 7:1. Large text has lower thresholds.
What counts as large text?
WCAG defines large text by size and weight (for example, 18pt or 14pt bold)—check the current WCAG definition you target.
Does a passing ratio guarantee readability?
It meets the contrast formula but font choice and layout still affect real-world reading.
Should icons meet the same ratios?
UI components and graphics that convey meaning often need comparable contrast to adjacent text.
Do gradients complicate checks?
Measure text against the lightest and darkest underlying areas, not a single average.

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