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A WCAG contrast checker compares a text color with its background and gives the contrast ratio, from 1:1 to 21:1. WCAG 2.2 Level AA needs at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text and interface parts. Enter two colors below to see the ratio and each pass or fail result.
Contrast ratio
7.00:1
Normal text sample: The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.
Large text sample
| Check | Level | Needs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal text (SC 1.4.3) | AA | 4.5:1 | Pass |
| Large text (SC 1.4.3) | AA | 3:1 | Pass |
| Normal text (SC 1.4.6) | AAA | 7:1 | Pass |
| Large text (SC 1.4.6) | AAA | 4.5:1 | Pass |
| UI components and graphics (SC 1.4.11) | AA | 3:1 | Pass |
Need a passing color? The AI color contrast tool suggests accessible alternatives and also shows APCA scores.
Three success criteria set the minimum contrast. The thresholds are the same in WCAG 2.1 and WCAG 2.2.
| Success criterion | Level | Applies to | Minimum ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | AA | Normal text / large text | 4.5:1 / 3:1 |
| 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) | AAA | Normal text / large text | 7:1 / 4.5:1 |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast | AA | Icons, input borders, focus indicators, chart parts | 3:1 |
Large text is at least 18 point (24 CSS pixels) at regular weight, or 14 point (about 18.66 CSS pixels) in bold. Laws such as the ADA Title II rule and Section 508 point to WCAG Level AA, so 4.5:1 and 3:1 are the numbers most teams must meet.
Level AA needs 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (SC 1.4.3). Level AAA needs 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text (SC 1.4.6). Icons, form field borders, focus indicators and other UI parts need 3:1 against the colors next to them (SC 1.4.11, Level AA).
WCAG defines large text as at least 18 point (24 CSS pixels) at regular weight, or at least 14 point (about 18.66 CSS pixels) in bold. Text smaller than that uses the normal-text thresholds.
No. SC 1.4.3, 1.4.6 and 1.4.11 have the same thresholds in WCAG 2.1 and 2.2. WCAG 2.2 added SC 2.4.13 Focus Appearance (Level AAA), which asks for a 3:1 contrast between the focused and unfocused states of a focus indicator.
No. WCAG does not allow rounding up. A ratio must be at least 4.5:1 to pass for normal text, so this checker truncates the ratio it shows and tests the unrounded value.
SC 1.4.3 exempts text in logos and brand names, text in inactive (disabled) controls, text that is pure decoration, text that nobody can see, and text inside a picture that has other significant visual content.
No. Contrast is one of 55 Level A and AA success criteria in WCAG 2.2. To test a whole page for contrast and the other criteria, run a free scan with the WebAbility website accessibility checker.
APCA (Accessible Perceptual Contrast Algorithm) is a contrast method in development for WCAG 3. It is not a requirement of WCAG 2.2. Laws and procurement rules that cite WCAG 2.x use the ratios on this page.
Learn more in our color contrast guide and the contrast ratio definition. Sources: W3C WCAG 2.2, SC 1.4.3, 1.4.6, 1.4.11 and 2.4.13.
Updated October 2026
One color pair is a start. Scan a full page for contrast failures and the other WCAG 2.2 AA criteria.