🔍 Hex Code Contrast Analyzer
Professional color contrast analyzer with WCAG compliance checking and accessibility recommendations for developers
Your Result:
🎯 Contrast Analysis Example
Sample text preview on this background
WCAG AA Compliant
How to Use This Hex Code Contrast Analyzer
How to Use the Hex Code Contrast Analyzer:
- Enter your background hex color (with or without # prefix)
- Optionally enter a text color, or leave empty for automatic recommendations
- Select your desired WCAG compliance level (AA, AAA, or both)
- Enable recommendations to see optimal text colors for your background
- Review contrast ratios, compliance status, and accessibility analysis
- Copy generated CSS code for immediate implementation in your projects
The tool automatically calculates relative luminance values and contrast ratios according to WCAG 2.1 guidelines, providing scientifically accurate accessibility analysis for professional web development.
How It Works
Scientific Color Contrast Analysis Process:
- Color Space Conversion: Converts hex colors to sRGB color space for accurate luminance calculations
- Gamma Correction: Applies proper gamma correction (2.4) to linearize color values for human vision accuracy
- Relative Luminance: Calculates luminance using WCAG 2.1 formula: 0.2126×R + 0.7152×G + 0.0722×B
- Contrast Ratio Formula: Computes (L1 + 0.05) / (L2 + 0.05) where L1 is the lighter color's luminance
- WCAG Compliance Check: Tests against AA (4.5:1 normal, 3:1 large) and AAA (7:1 normal, 4.5:1 large) standards
- Smart Recommendations: Algorithm finds optimal text colors by testing white, black, and gray variations
This professional-grade analysis ensures your color choices meet international accessibility standards while providing practical implementation guidance for developers and designers.
When You Might Need This
- • Website accessibility audits - Test your site's color combinations for WCAG compliance before launch
- • UI component contrast validation - Ensure buttons, forms, and navigation elements meet accessibility standards
- • Brand color accessibility analysis - Validate your brand colors against WCAG guidelines while maintaining visual identity
- • Design system color palette testing - Create accessible color guidelines for consistent, compliant designs
- • A/B testing color optimization - Test color variations ensuring all versions meet accessibility requirements
- • Dark mode theme validation - Ensure light and dark theme colors provide adequate contrast
- • Email template accessibility - Test email color combinations for maximum readability across clients
- • Government/healthcare compliance - Meet strict accessibility requirements for regulated industry websites
- • Social media graphics testing - Validate text overlay colors on background images for accessibility
- • CSS development workflow - Generate WCAG-compliant color combinations with ready-to-use code examples
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between WCAG AA and AAA compliance levels?
WCAG AA requires a 4.5:1 contrast ratio for normal text and 3:1 for large text, which is the legal standard in most jurisdictions. WCAG AAA is more strict, requiring 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text, providing enhanced accessibility for users with more severe visual impairments.
How accurate are the contrast ratio calculations?
Our calculations use the precise WCAG 2.1 formula with sRGB color space conversion and proper gamma correction. The contrast ratios are mathematically accurate to multiple decimal places, matching official WCAG testing tools and browser accessibility audits used by compliance officers.
What qualifies as 'large text' for accessibility standards?
Large text is defined as 18pt or larger, or 14pt or larger when bold. In CSS, this translates to approximately 24px or 18px bold. Large text has more lenient contrast requirements (3:1 for AA, 4.5:1 for AAA) because it's easier to read even with lower contrast.
Can I get CSS code for the analyzed color combinations?
Yes! The tool generates ready-to-use CSS code examples including basic styles, button styling, and CSS variables. This makes it easy to implement accessible color combinations directly in your stylesheets with guaranteed WCAG compliance.
How does the automatic text color recommendation work?
The algorithm calculates contrast ratios for white and black text against your background, then recommends the option with higher contrast. It also tests gray variations and suggests alternative background colors if neither white nor black meets WCAG standards for your chosen background.