Color can support meaning, but only when it is readable. Low contrast combinations make content difficult or impossible to read for people with low vision or color blindness, and challenging for everyone else.
What Is Color Contrast
Contrast is the difference between the text and its background. Strong contrast makes text easier to read in all conditions, including:
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- Bright classrooms
- When viewing projected content
- Mobile devices
Common Contrast Pitfalls
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- Light gray text on white
- Red text on black
- Color-only indicators like “items in red are required.”
Red and green combinations are especially challenging due to common forms of color blindness.
This image compares common color contrast issues with how those same colors may appear to someone with protanopia, a type of red-green color blindness. The left shows true color; the right shows the simulated view.
Put Into Practice
Open a slide, website, or email you recently created. Ask: “Would someone with low vision or color blindness be able to read this?” Use WebAIM’s tool to confirm.
Why This Supports Everyone
1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of color blindness. Strong contrast improves:
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- Reading speed
- Focus
- Comprehension
It also reduces eye strain and cognitive fatigue.
WCAG Connection
WCAG 2.1 – 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (AA) – The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1
Helpful Resources
Explore More in This Series
Discover additional posts from this series by clicking on the posts below.
Accessibility in Action | Why Digital Accessibility Matters
Accessibility in Action | Choosing Fonts Everyone Can Read
Accessibility in Action | Sharing Links That Are Clear
Accessibility in Action | Using Headings to Organize Content
