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Colour contrast grid

Check every text and background pair in your palette against WCAG at once.

  • Free
  • No sign-up
  • Works on any device

About Colour contrast grid

Enter your palette once and see the WCAG contrast ratio of every foreground and background pair in a single grid. Normal text needs at least 4.5 to 1 for level AA and 7 to 1 for AAA, while large text needs 3 to 1. It saves checking combinations one at a time.

How to use Colour contrast grid

  1. Add the colours of your palette to the list.
  2. Read the grid to see the contrast ratio for each text and background pair.
  3. Pick pairs that pass the WCAG level you need and drop the failing ones.

Why use this tool?

Also known as

Frequently asked questions

What contrast ratio do I need for text?

WCAG AA requires 4.5 to 1 for normal text and 3 to 1 for large text. Level AAA asks for 7 to 1 for normal text.

What is the difference between AA and AAA?

AA is the usual target, needing 4.5 to 1 for normal text. AAA is stricter, needing 7 to 1. Large text has lower thresholds at both levels.

Do the results apply to buttons and icons?

Interface parts such as icons and input borders have their own WCAG threshold of 3 to 1. Check them as well as your text pairs.

Is Colour contrast grid free?

Yes. Colour contrast grid on Toolipedia is free to use, with no sign-up and no watermark.

Is it safe to use?

Yes. Everything is worked out in your browser, and nothing you enter is sent to our server.

Does it work on my phone?

Yes. It works in any modern browser on Android and iPhone, as well as on tablets and computers. There's nothing to install.

Do I need an account?

No. Just open the page and use the tool. There's no sign-up and no email needed.

Can I put Colour contrast grid on my own website?

Yes. Use the Embed on your site button under the tool to copy a short piece of code and paste it into your page. It is free, needs no account, and the tool keeps working inside your page.

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