Top seven free color contrast checkers & analyzers

Published by

Here are seven great free tools that help you measure color contrasts and create beautiful, accessible color schemes that fulfill the contrast requirements in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

Crayons of different colors, photo.

1. Contrast Checker (Monsido)

Contrast Checker (monsido.com)

Perfect if you just want a quick and easy contrast measurement without having to download anything.

  • Measure contrast quickly in this web app
  • Very intuitive to use
  • Multiple ways to input colors

Screenshot of Contrast Checker (Monsido)

Screenshot from Monsido Color Contrast Checker.

 

2. Tanaguru Contrast Finder

Tanaguru Contrast Finder

Perfect if you want to find a new accessible color combination if your combination fails.

  • Web app that measures contrasts
  • Suggests alternative colors if your combination fails
  • Open source if you want to contribute

Screenshot of Tanaguru Contrast Finder

Interface Tanaguru, showing new color suggestions for a color combination that failed the contrast requirements.

3. Colour Contrast Analyser – by The Paciello Group

Colour Contrast Analyser

Perfect if you’re measuring contrasts a lot.

  • Desktop application for Mac and PC
  • Analyze any colors appearing anywhere on your screen with the “Colour Picker”
  • Shows how contrast varies with different types of color blindness

Screenshot of Colour Contrast Analyser

Interface of Colour Contrast Analyser, showing a blue, white combo that passes everything except AAA-level

4. Color Tool at material.io – by Google

Color Tool (material.io)

Perfect if you want to create a complete color palette.

  • Web app created and curated by Google
  • Create an accessible color palette from scratch
  • Choose a text color and the tool shows the minimum opacity needed to fulfill contrast requirement

Screenshot of material.io’s Color Tool

Interface of Color Tool, shows red and black combo and accepted levels of opacity for the black text.

5. Contraste for Mac

Contraste (contasteapp.com)

Perfect, simple tool if you’re a Mac fan!

  • Simple and lightweight
  • The most aesthetic tool in this line-up, if you ask me
  • Multiple ways to pick colors, including a handy pipette tool

Screenshot of Contraste for Mac

Screenshot of Contraste.

6. Color Contrast – iOS app by UserLight

Color Contrast at App Store

Perfect if you prefer working on iOS devices.

  • App for iOS devices
  • Test colors of apps, websites or screenshots
  • Available in iOS Control Center (swipe up from bottom of screen) for quick live testing

Screenshot of Color Contrast iOS app

Interface of iPhone color contrast tool. Lets you check contrast of photo or website.

7. Android Accessibility Scanner – Android app by Google

Android Accessibility Scanner at Google Play

Great if you work with Android apps.

  • Scan apps with your Android device
  • Points out other accessibility issues as well as contrasts
  • Created and curated by Google.

Screenshot of Android Accessibility Scanner

Interface of Google's accessibility checker, highlights area in app that has failing contrasts.

Bonus: Leonardocolor.io

Leonardocolor.io

A powerful online-tool that let’s you create color systems for interfaces and data visualisation.

Screenshot of startpage of leonardocolor.io.

Get notified when we write new stuff

About once a month we write an article about accessibility or usability, that’s just as awesome as this one (#HumbleBrag)!

Get notified by following us on Twitter @AxessLab or Facebook.

Or simply drop your email below!