How to Identify Web Accessible Colors for Products & Websites

Imagine clicking on a website, eager to explore its content, only to find that you can barely read the text or distinguish important elements due to its low-contrast color scheme. Now, imagine this frustration amplified for the 2.2 billion people worldwide who have some form of vision impairment, including color blindness.

For these individuals, inaccessible color choices aren‘t just an annoyance — they can make a website practically unusable. As designers and developers, it‘s our responsibility to create inclusive digital experiences that cater to the needs of all users, regardless of their abilities.

In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into the world of web accessible colors, equipping you with the knowledge and tools to ensure that your website‘s palette is both beautiful and inclusive. Whether you‘re auditing an existing site or starting a new project from scratch, by the end of this article, you‘ll be able to confidently select colors that adhere to the latest accessibility guidelines and create designs that are welcoming to all.

Understanding WCAG Color Contrast Requirements

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the gold standard when it comes to creating accessible digital content. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), these guidelines provide clear criteria for ensuring that websites are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust for all users.

One of the key aspects addressed by WCAG is color contrast — the difference in perceived "luminance" or brightness between foreground (text) and background colors. The guidelines specify minimum contrast ratios that must be met to ensure readability for users with visual impairments:

  • Normal Text: For text smaller than 18pt (or 14pt if bold), the contrast ratio between the text and its background must be at least 4.5:1 to meet WCAG AA standards.

  • Large Text: For text that is at least 18pt (or 14pt if bold), the minimum contrast ratio is 3:1.

  • Enhanced Contrast: To achieve WCAG AAA compliance (the highest level), the contrast ratios increase to 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text.

It‘s important to note that these guidelines apply to all meaningful text on your website, including buttons, form labels, and infographics. Logos and purely decorative elements are exempt.

How to Test Your Website‘s Color Accessibility

Now that you understand the WCAG requirements, let‘s walk through the process of auditing your existing website‘s color scheme for accessibility.

Step 1: Identify Your Website‘s Colors

The first step is to determine the exact colors used on your site. If you have a style guide or access to the code, you may already have a list of the hexadecimal (hex) color codes. If not, you can use a tool like ColorZilla, a browser extension for Chrome and Firefox, to easily pick colors from any web page.

Once installed, simply activate ColorZilla‘s color picker, hover over the element you want to sample, and click to copy the hex code to your clipboard. Be sure to collect both text colors and background colors, as you‘ll need both to test contrast ratios.

Step 2: Check Contrast Ratios

With your color codes in hand, it‘s time to see how they stack up against WCAG guidelines. There are numerous free tools available for this purpose, but two of the most popular and user-friendly are the WebAIM Contrast Checker and the Contrast Checker by AccessibleWeb.

To use either tool, simply enter the hex codes for your text and background colors, and the checker will calculate the contrast ratio and indicate whether it passes WCAG AA and AAA standards. If a color combination fails, most tools will suggest adjustments to help you meet the minimum requirements.

For example, let‘s say you‘re testing a light grey text (#D3D3D3) on a white background (#FFFFFF). The WebAIM Contrast Checker reveals that this combination has a contrast ratio of just 1.56:1, failing all levels of WCAG compliance. However, by darkening the text color to a charcoal grey (#545454), we can achieve a ratio of 7.1:1, passing even the strictest AAA standards.

Example of low contrast text failing WCAG standards
Example of adjusted text color passing WCAG standards

Repeat this process for each unique color combination on your site, making note of any that need to be adjusted. Keep in mind that it‘s not always necessary (or desirable) to meet AAA standards. Aiming for AA compliance is generally sufficient for most websites.

Step 3: Implement Accessible Color Combinations

Once you‘ve identified the problematic color combinations on your site, it‘s time to update your color scheme to ensure accessibility. If you‘re working with an existing brand palette, try to find accessible alternatives that maintain the overall look and feel. If you have more flexibility, consider using one of the accessible color palette tools listed in the next section to generate a new scheme from scratch.

When making adjustments, keep in mind that it‘s usually easier to modify text colors than background colors, as the latter can affect the overall design more significantly. Also, be sure to test your new colors in context to ensure that they work well together and maintain sufficient contrast across different states (hover, active, etc.).

Finally, don‘t forget to update your style guide and document your new color codes for future reference.

Designing with Accessible Color Palettes

If you‘re starting a new web project or undertaking a complete redesign, you have the opportunity to prioritize accessibility from the ground up. Rather than retrofitting an existing color scheme, you can use tools specifically designed to generate accessible color palettes.

Two excellent options are Color Safe by Donielle Berg and Adrian Rapp, and the Accessible Color Generator by Erik Kennedy. Both tools allow you to select a base color and generate a range of accessible shades and complementary hues that meet WCAG contrast requirements.

Screenshot of Color Safe tool generating an accessible color palette

When using these tools, consider the following tips:

  • Choose a base color that aligns with your brand identity or the mood you want to convey. Bright, saturated colors tend to be more attention-grabbing, while muted tones can feel more calming and sophisticated.

  • Pay attention to the provided contrast ratios and aim for combinations that meet AA standards at a minimum. Remember that higher contrast is always better for readability.

  • Don‘t neglect aesthetic considerations. While accessibility is crucial, your color palette should still be visually appealing and harmonious. Experiment with different shades and combinations until you find a scheme that strikes the right balance.

  • Consider using a limited palette of 3-5 colors to keep your design cohesive and avoid overwhelming users. You can always introduce additional shades or variations as needed.

Here are a few examples of accessible color palettes generated using the tools mentioned above:

Example of an accessible blue and yellow color palette
– Blues: #004A7C, #0077B6, #00B4D8
– Yellows: #F0C808, #FFD60A
Example of an accessible green and orange color palette
– Greens: #2C5E1A, #3F8227, #86B049
– Oranges: #D9480F, #F27F0C

Beyond Color: Inclusive Design Considerations

While color contrast is a crucial aspect of accessible design, it‘s just one piece of the puzzle. To create truly inclusive user experiences, consider the following additional factors:

Don‘t Rely on Color Alone

Color should never be the sole means of conveying important information. For example, if you use red text to indicate required form fields, be sure to include an additional visual indicator like an asterisk or icon for users who may not be able to distinguish the color difference.

Similarly, when using color-coding in charts or graphs, provide text labels or patterns to differentiate the data points. Colorblind users may not be able to tell the difference between red and green bars on a graph without these additional cues.

Consider Contrast in Context

When assessing color contrast, it‘s important to consider the context in which the colors will be used. For instance, a color combination that passes WCAG standards on a solid background may not have sufficient contrast when used over an image or pattern.

Always test your color choices in their intended context, and be prepared to make adjustments as needed. You may need to use a higher contrast ratio than the minimum requirement in certain situations, such as when text is overlaid on a busy photograph.

Test with Real Users

While automated tools are incredibly useful for identifying accessibility issues, there‘s no substitute for testing with real users. Whenever possible, recruit individuals with a range of visual abilities to provide feedback on your designs.

Pay attention to their experiences and take note of any areas where they struggle or encounter confusion. Use this feedback to iteratively improve your designs and create a more inclusive user experience for all.

Designing for Inclusion: Your Role in Creating a More Accessible Web

As digital creators, we have the power (and responsibility) to shape online experiences that are welcoming and inclusive to all users. By prioritizing accessibility in our color choices and design decisions, we can create products and websites that are not only compliant with WCAG standards but are also more user-friendly and effective for everyone.

Whether you‘re auditing an existing site or starting a new project from scratch, we hope this guide has equipped you with the knowledge and tools you need to confidently select accessible color palettes and create designs that are both beautiful and inclusive.

Remember, accessibility is not a one-time checkbox but an ongoing commitment to creating a web that works for everyone. By continuously educating ourselves, testing our work, and advocating for inclusive design practices, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of users with disabilities and create a more equitable digital world for all.

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