WCAG Checker

Test text and background colors against WCAG AA and AAA standards.

Steps to test colors against WCAG with this checker

Enter your text color and the background it sits on.
Read the verdict badge: the level your pair conforms to (AAA, AA, or fail).
Check the criteria rows for normal text, large text and UI components.
If you target AA, make sure both normal-text 1.4.3 and the large-text row pass.
Adjust a color until the badge reaches the level your project requires.

WCAG AA vs AAA contrast requirements

WCAG sets two contrast levels that matter for color. The checker scores your pair against both, for each text size, so you can see exactly where it lands.

Criterion	Applies to	AA	AAA
1.4.3 / 1.4.6 Normal text	Under 18pt	4.5:1	7:1
1.4.3 / 1.4.6 Large text	18pt+, or 14pt bold	3:1	4.5:1
1.4.11 Non-text contrast	Icons, controls, focus	3:1	3:1

Which WCAG level you need to meet

WCAG has three conformance levels, A, AA and AAA, and they stack: AA includes every A rule, and AAA includes A and AA. Color contrast is an AA requirement, which is also the level written into most accessibility laws.

Law or region	Required level
ADA (US, courts reference)	WCAG 2.1 AA
Section 508 (US federal)	WCAG 2.0 AA
European Accessibility Act	EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.1 AA
AODA (Ontario, Canada)	WCAG 2.0 AA

The consistent theme across jurisdictions: Level AA is the legal standard. AAA is a higher goal, not usually a requirement.

Why most projects target AA, not AAA

AA removes the barriers that block most users while staying achievable across a real design.
AAA at 7:1 for body text is hard to hit with brand colors and is not legally required.
Even the W3C states AAA cannot be met for all content, so it is applied selectively.
Reaching AA already means you meet every Level A rule beneath it.

WCAG checker vs a plain contrast checker

A contrast checker hands you the raw ratio. This WCAG checker maps that ratio onto the actual standard, so instead of reading "4.6:1" you get "passes AA for normal text". Use the two together: the Contrast Checker to tune the exact number, this checker to confirm the conformance level.

	WCAG checker	Contrast checker
Output	Pass / fail per level	Raw ratio
Maps to criteria (1.4.3, 1.4.11)	Yes	No
Tells you the legal level	Yes	No
Best for	Sign-off and audits	Tuning a color

To see a passing pair through colorblind eyes as well, run it through the Color Blindness Simulator.

Do I need WCAG AA or AAA?

AA covers most legal and practical requirements and is the level courts and laws reference. AAA is reserved for content that must be readable by everyone.

What does WCAG stand for?

Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the standard published by the W3C for making web content usable by people with disabilities.

Does the contrast rule apply to logos?

No. Logos and incidental or decorative text are exempt. Disabled controls are too, but normal readable text is not.

Does meeting AA contrast make my whole site compliant?

No. Contrast (1.4.3) is one AA criterion among many. Full AA also needs labels, keyboard access, and more.

What counts as large text for the lower 3:1 ratio?

Text at 18pt and up, or 14pt and up when bold. The checker applies the large-text thresholds automatically.