Question 1

What is the contrast ratio and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

The contrast ratio is the difference in brightness between the text (foreground) and the background. Ensuring proper contrast is essential for people with low vision, color blindness, or even users in bright environments to read your content effortlessly.

Question 2

What is the difference between WCAG AA and AAA levels?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring good readability is about more than just accessibility: it improves reading speed, reduces eye strain, and ensures your content is clear on any screen or under any lighting condition. We measure the luminosity ratio (from 1:1 up to 21:1) based on WCAG global standards: 3:1 (Minimum Essential): The baseline for large text (over 18pt), icons, and UI components like buttons or borders. This is the core requirement for basic compliance. 4.5:1 (Level AA - Industry Standard): The sweet spot for body text. This is the recommended legal and technical standard to ensure most users can navigate without barriers. 7:1 (Level AAA - Gold Standard): The highest level of legibility. It provides superior visual comfort, removing barriers for people with low vision or in situations involving prolonged reading.

Question 3

How do Contrast Lab's "Smart Suggestions" work?

Accepted Answer

Unlike basic validators that only point out errors, Contrast Lab mathematically calculates and suggests colors close to your original choice that meet the necessary contrast ratio. Just click the suggested color to apply it and copy its Hex code.

Question 4

Can I use the tool to test UI components?

Accepted Answer

Yes! For icons, input borders, and graphical components, the WCAG recommends a contrast of at least 3:1. You can use the Contrast Lab ratio meter to ensure these elements are also accessible.

Question 5

Is Contrast Lab free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, Contrast Lab is a free tool developed to support the community of designers and developers in creating more inclusive digital products.

Question 6

How does image contrast analysis work?

Accepted Answer

Our tool utilizes state-of-the-art Computer Vision to audit your design. The process occurs in three steps: Detection: Artificial Intelligence scans the image for text elements and identifies the exact coordinates where they appear. Color Extraction: For each found text, the AI extracts the specific hexadecimal code for the font color and the predominant background color at that exact point. WCAG Calculation: With the color codes in hand, we apply official WCAG mathematical formulas to calculate the true contrast ratio. If the value falls below 4.5:1 (AA) or 7:1 (AAA), we highlight the point in the image so you can correct it.

Question 7

Why do some colors look slightly different from my original file?

Accepted Answer

Images in formats like PNG or JPG undergo compression that slightly alters the pixels. For maximum accuracy, you can click on the generated highlight and manually adjust the hexadecimal code in our calculator.

Question 8

Why is there a limit for image analysis?

Accepted Answer

Contrast Lab is an independent and completely free project. To offer image analysis technology, we use one of the most advanced Artificial Intelligences in the world (Google's Gemini). Breathing limit: contrastLab.faq8aListText1 What to do if I hit the limit?: Don't worry! If you receive a "limit reached" warning, simply wait about 60 seconds and try again. It's the time our robots need to grab a coffee and get back to work. Tip: If you're adjusting colors from the same screenshot, use the highlights from the first analysis to load the colors into our manual checker. This way, you can test dozens of combinations without needing to spend a new image analysis!

Question 9

How does the Vision Simulator help with accessibility?

Accepted Answer

It tests your color palette against different visual conditions (such as color blindness and blurred vision). If your design, text, and buttons remain clear and easy to identify even under the Achromatopsia (grayscale) filter, it means your project has solid contrast and doesn't exclude users with low vision.

Question 10

What does the "Experimental Feature" warning mean in image correction?

Accepted Answer

It means that this tool is still in the development and research phase. Although it is already available for practical testing, our team continues to work to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of the automatic corrections applied directly to images.

Color Contrast Checker

Smart suggestions for accessible design.

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