Why Color Contrast Matters?
Color contrast matters becuase it directly affects whether information can be seen, understood and used.
Accessbility
- Essentail for students which low vision, or color blindess, (ADA, Section 508. WCAG)
- age related vision changes
Learning
- Helps students quickly determine what matters
- Frees attention for thinking not deciphering
Readability
- Low cost contrast can cause eye strain and fatigure
- Students may miss key points, instruction or data
Good Color Contrast
Good color contrast means there's enough difference betweem the text and background. For accessbility standards, normal text needs about 4.5 to 1 contrast radio. Example: Dark Gray text on back on white works. Light gray, yellow or pastel often does not work
Color Contrast Tools
Accessibility Checker
- Checks accessbility including identifying color contrast in your document or powerpoint presentations
1. Select Review from the top menu, and Check Accessibility to review errors. 2. If a color contrast is flagged, the accessbility checker typically provides alternative color options to replace the color if needed.
Color Contrast Tools
Webaim Contrast Checker
- Checks the color contrast against the background in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint.
1. Select the colored text, then click the Text Color A on the toolbar. Click the dropdown arrow, choose More Colors, and then go to the Custom tab. Copy the Hex Code see example (#FFFF00) to paste into to the Webaim Contrast Checker.
2. Access the Webaim Contrast Checker.
3. Paste the HexCode #FFFF00 into the checker to the Foreground to determine the color ratio. Follow the Webaim Instructions, remember the color ratio should be 4.5:1.
Thank You
Please email facet@towson.edu for questions or assistance.
Webaim Instructions
1. Enter the foreground color hex code or use the Color Picker to select it. The backgrounds is typically set at #FFFFFF which is a white background.2. You will immediately see the results of the color below the contrast ratio, look for the 4.5 to 1 for a passing color., 3. Use the Lightness slider to modify the perceived lightness of color or choose an optional color to pass the ratio ratio requirements.
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Color Contrast
Robyn Rogers
Created on April 30, 2026
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Transcript
Why Color Contrast Matters?
Color contrast matters becuase it directly affects whether information can be seen, understood and used.
Accessbility
Learning
Readability
Good Color Contrast
Good color contrast means there's enough difference betweem the text and background. For accessbility standards, normal text needs about 4.5 to 1 contrast radio. Example: Dark Gray text on back on white works. Light gray, yellow or pastel often does not work
Color Contrast Tools
Accessibility Checker
1. Select Review from the top menu, and Check Accessibility to review errors. 2. If a color contrast is flagged, the accessbility checker typically provides alternative color options to replace the color if needed.
Color Contrast Tools
Webaim Contrast Checker
1. Select the colored text, then click the Text Color A on the toolbar. Click the dropdown arrow, choose More Colors, and then go to the Custom tab. Copy the Hex Code see example (#FFFF00) to paste into to the Webaim Contrast Checker.
2. Access the Webaim Contrast Checker.
3. Paste the HexCode #FFFF00 into the checker to the Foreground to determine the color ratio. Follow the Webaim Instructions, remember the color ratio should be 4.5:1.
Thank You
Please email facet@towson.edu for questions or assistance.
Webaim Instructions
1. Enter the foreground color hex code or use the Color Picker to select it. The backgrounds is typically set at #FFFFFF which is a white background.2. You will immediately see the results of the color below the contrast ratio, look for the 4.5 to 1 for a passing color., 3. Use the Lightness slider to modify the perceived lightness of color or choose an optional color to pass the ratio ratio requirements.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit