Color Accessibility
Learn principles of accessible design using colors
Introduction
Accessible design ensures that your content can be used by all people, including those with visual impairments or color blindness.
WCAG Contrast Guidelines
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) sets contrast standards to ensure text readability:
Level AA
Minimum contrast of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. This is the minimum standard for most websites.
Level AAA
High contrast of 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text. Recommended for important content.
Color Blindness Considerations
About 8% of men and 0.5% of women have some form of color blindness. It's important not to rely solely on color to convey information:
- Use icons and text along with color
- Ensure sufficient contrast between elements
- Test designs using color blindness simulation tools
Text Readability
Good text readability is critical for accessibility. Ensure text has sufficient contrast with the background, use large enough fonts, and avoid overly bright or dark combinations.
Alternative Color Indicators
Don't rely solely on color to convey important information. Use additional visual indicators: shapes, icons, text, patterns, or symbols.