Contrast
Conversion and UX
Conversion and UX
Contrast is the difference in brightness between text and background, expressed as a ratio; WCAG requires at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.
Low contrast is one of the most common accessibility failures and affects everyone: light grey text is hard to read on a phone in sunlight too.
Also check text over images, form placeholders, disabled buttons and focus styles — that is usually where it breaks.
In practice
Grey on white looks calm in a design but often falls below the standard. Test combinations before they enter the brand guidelines.
Related terms
- WCAGWCAG are the international guidelines for digital accessibility. Level AA is the standard most legislation refers to.
- UXUX is the experience of using your site or app: how quickly someone finds what they need and how much effort it takes to finish something.
- Above the foldAbove the fold is the part of your page visible without scrolling: the first screen a visitor sees.
- Call to actionA call to action is the button or line that moves a visitor to the next step: request a quote, call, add to cart, book a call.