Color Contrast: Why It’s Crucial for Accessibility
Here are some tips on choosing colors that meet accessibility standards for readability.
01. Use High Contrast for Text and Background
Ensure a strong contrast between text and its background.
Minimum Contrast Ratios: WCAG guidelines recommend a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for larger text (18pt or 14pt bold).
Enhanced Contrast Ratios: For higher accessibility standards (Level AAA), aim for a contrast ratio of at least 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text.
Tip: Dark text on a light background or light text on a dark background generally provides good readability.
02. Check Contrast Ratios
Use tools like WebAIM’s Contrast Checker or the contrast checker in Firefox’s Developer Tools to check if your color combinations meet WCAG contrast ratios.
Tip: When designing, always test your foreground and background colors together, especially for body text, links, and buttons.
03. Avoid Color-Only Indicators
Don’t rely solely on color to convey information, as people with color blindness might not perceive certain colors. Use icons, patterns, or text alongside colors to differentiate elements.
Tip: For example, use both color and icon to indicate errors, such as a red outline and an “X” symbol on a form field.
04. Consider Color Blindness
Roughly 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women are affected by some form of color blindness. Test your designs with color-blind simulators like Coblis and Color Oracle to simulate how your design looks to people with different types of color blindness.
Tip: Use color palettes that are distinguishable by people with color blindness. Avoid problematic color combinations like red and green or blue and yellow, which are difficult for many color-blind users to differentiate.
05. Stick to Simple, Clear Palettes
Simplify your color scheme by using fewer colors and ensuring they are easily distinguishable. This prevents confusion, especially for people with low vision.
Tip: Use neutral backgrounds (light greys, whites) with strong accent colors for headings and calls to action.
06. Use Sufficient Contrast in UI Components
Interactive elements (buttons, links, icons) should have sufficient contrast not only between their text and background but also against non-interactive elements.
Tip: Make sure there’s a visible difference between a button in its default state and its hover/active state.
07. Highlight Important Elements
Use contrast effectively to draw attention to critical elements on the page, such as calls to action, headlines, and alerts.
Tip: Use higher saturated, bold colors for interactive or important elements, making them stand out while maintaining accessibility standards.
08. Maintain Consistency
Ensure consistent use of colors throughout your design to avoid confusion and help users easily recognize patterns or functions across different sections or pages.
Tip: Create a color guide or style sheet for your designs, ensuring the same colors are used for similar elements (e.g., buttons, headers, links) across the entire platform.
09. Balance Aesthetics and Functionality
While it’s essential to meet accessibility standards, your color choices should also reflect your brand’s aesthetics and message. Functional design doesn’t have to mean boring; you can be creative while maintaining contrast.
Tip: Harmonize your font styles and color palettes to reflect your brand identity. Find a balance where your design is both visually appealing and functionally accessible. Use subtle variations in shades while maintaining required contrast ratios.
10. Consider Context
Colors may appear differently on various screens or in different lighting conditions. Make sure your design is adaptable across devices and settings.
Tip: Test your colors on both mobile and desktop, in light and dark modes, and adjust for different brightness levels.
11. Test with Real Users
Conduct usability testing with people who have visual impairments to get feedback on your color choices and make necessary adjustments.
