What’s included in our color contrast checker?
Silktide’s color contrast checker is part of our accessibility toolbar. By ensuring sufficient contrast between text and background colors, you’ll create a better experience for people with visual impairments. You’ll also be a step closer to meeting global accessibility standards, like WCAG and ADA.
Why does color contrast matter for accessibility?
High-contrasting color is a critical part of web accessibility, especially for users with visual impairments, including color blindness, low vision, or aging-related vision loss.
- Insufficient contrast makes content harder to read, leading to frustration and exclusion.
- Sufficient color contrast ensures your website more closely aligns with accessibility standards like WCAG and ADA
- Improving contrast boosts usability for everyone, including users browsing in low-light or high-glare environments.
‘Use of Color’ is part of WCAG Guideline 1.4: Distinguishable.
How to use the Silktide color contrast checker
Silktide makes testing your website’s contrast simple and fast:
- Select two colors: Choose text and background colors from your webpage.
- Analyze contrast ratio: The tool calculates the contrast ratio based on WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2 guidelines.
- See results instantly: Get a pass/fail score for Levels A, AA, and AAA compliance.
- Fix issues with actionable insights: Learn how to adjust colors to meet accessibility standards.
How does poor contrast impact people with vision impairments?
Users with visual impairments often face significant challenges when websites lack sufficient color contrast:
- Color blindness: Difficulty distinguishing between colors like red and green.
- Low vision: Struggles to read text that doesn’t stand out from the background.
- Aging eyes: Reduced contrast sensitivity makes web content harder to read.
Disability simulations are included, so you can see the effects of poor color contrast on the page you’re testing.
Color contrast and global accessibility laws.
Most global accessibility laws have a basis in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). So ensuring proper color contrast isn’t just good for usability—it can be a legal requirement.
- WCAG Guidelines: The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) require sufficient contrast for text and graphical elements.
- ADA Compliance: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) enforces web accessibility based on WCAG standards.
- European Accessibility Act (EAA): Upcoming legislation requiring accessibility compliance for businesses in the EU by 2025.
Want to understand WCAG?
The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines are important, but super difficult to understand as written.
So we re-wrote them into plain language, created a range of helpful and fun videos, and packaged it into our Ultimate Guide to Web Accessibility.
It’s WCAG for beginners!
Frequently asked questions
What is the Silktide color contrast checker?
The Silktide color contrast checker is a specific tool within the Silktide toolbar that evaluates the color contrast of web content. It ensures that text and interactive elements on a webpage have sufficient contrast against their background, making them accessible to people with visual impairments. This tool is key for adhering to WCAG guidelines and creating a web experience that’s inclusive for all users.
How does the color contrast checking work?
The checker is a part of the Silktide Toolbar. It scans the current page in your browser, analyzing the contrast between text (or interactive elements) and their background.
The tool compares the color combinations against WCAG standards and provides a clear report highlighting any issues. You can use it by simply installing the Chrome extension, navigating to a webpage, and selecting the color contrast checker from the Silktide menu.
To get started, simply install the Chrome extension, open a web page (this can include a staging or unpublished page) and click the Silktide logo in the extensions area at the top of Chrome. Then select Color Contrast from the left-hand menu.
What features does the color contrast checker offer?
The color contrast checker lets you pick two contrasting colors on your website and assess them against WCAG guidelines for adequate contrast. This is essential for making sure text and interactive elements are easily readable and accessible.
Is the Silktide color contrast checker free?
Yes, it’s part of the free Silktide Toolbar. It offers a detailed analysis of color contrast issues at no cost.
Can the Silktide accessibility checker help with WCAG compliance?
Definitely! It’s designed to specifically assess and report on the color-contrasting aspects of the WCAG guidelines, aiding you in achieving and maintaining compliance.
How often should I use the color contrast checker on my website?
You should use it regularly, especially after any design updates that affect color schemes. Consistent monitoring ensures ongoing compliance with accessibility standards.
Does the Silktide checker provide solutions for identified color contrast problems?
Yes, the Silktide color contrast checker identifies color contrast issues and suggests actionable solutions, aiding in the adjustment of your website’s color scheme to improve accessibility.
Is the Silktide color contrast checker suitable for all types of websites?
Silktide can evaluate a wide range of websites, from personal blogs to large-scale eCommerce sites. It’s versatile across different content management systems and web technologies.
How can I ensure my website’s color contrast stays compliant?
Checking your website often helps you stay compliant with accessibility standards.
For a more comprehensive solution, consider the full Silktide automated accessibility testing platform, which automates testing over thousands of web pages.
Combining automated testing with manual auditing will also give you full coverage. Find out more about Silktide’s full range of accessibility services.
What if I’m unsure how to fix a color contrast issue identified by the checker?
Don’t worry, Silktide provides detailed help guides for every issue it finds. For color contrast issues, our guides offer clear, step-by-step advice for making the necessary adjustments.
Silktide provides comprehensive help guides for every issue it finds. If you’re still unsure, consider reaching out to a web accessibility consultant or look into Silktide’s support options.
We also have a range of free resources available, from downloadable accessibility books to comprehensive training videos on YouTube.
Why focus on color contrast when assessing web accessibility?
Color contrast is a critical aspect of web accessibility, especially for users with visual impairments. Proper contrast ensures that all users can read and interact with content effectively, making your website more inclusive and user-friendly.
What is the minimum contrast ratio required for WCAG AA compliance
4.5:1 ratio for regular text: This is the minimum acceptable contrast for “normal-sized” text.
3:1 for large text: For text 18pt or larger (or 14pt bold), maintain a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
Read more about WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum)
What makes Silktide’s color checker different from others?
It’s easy to use, offers clear explanations of contrast issues, and gives practical advice for improvement. We’ve designed it to be user-friendly, helping everyone, from beginners to experts, achieve web accessibility.
Install the free color contrast checker
