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About Color.review
What does Color.review do?
Color.review is a web-based tool that checks the contrast ratio between foreground and background colors against the WCAG 2.1 standard. It helps designers and developers create accessible color palettes that work for everyone, including people with visual impairments or color blindness.
Who is it for?
This tool is built for UI/UX designers, front-end developers, and accessibility specialists who need to verify color contrast for text, headlines, and interface elements. It is not a full design suite or color palette generator — it focuses purely on contrast checking.
Real use cases
Use Color.review to test button text against background colors, ensure body copy meets AA (4.5:1) or AAA (7:1) requirements, and check large headlines (at least 3:1 for AA). The site also explains why contrast perception varies by hue — e.g., blue text on white is easier to read than yellow on white — helping you make informed design decisions.
Key features
- WCAG 2.1 Contrast Check — Enter any two hex, RGB, HSL, CMYK, or CSS color values and instantly see the contrast ratio.
- AA & AAA Pass/Fail Indicators — Visual badges show whether the combination meets WCAG AA (4.5 for text, 3 for large text) or AAA (7 for text, 4.5 for large text).
- HSL & CMYK Support — Input colors in multiple formats including hue-saturation-lightness and CMYK for print or digital work.
- Direct Link Sharing — Generate a shareable URL (e.g., color.review/check/293845-FFFFFF) to send color pairs to colleagues or clients.
- Color Blindness Awareness — Built-in educational content explains how contrast varies by hue and why accessibility matters for 217 million people with visual impairments.
SaaSpartout Score
6.5
/10
Editorial score from our review methodology — not user ratings.
Color.review Pricing
Color.review pricing: Free (no pricing page found). Billing model: Free.
Free online tool
Color.review is currently available as a free web-based contrast checker with no paid plans listed. The creator mentions a future app version (OS X, Win, iPhone, Android) with features like swatches and eyedropper, but no pricing has been announced.
Frequently asked questions
Is Color.review free?
Yes, the web-based contrast checker at color.review is completely free to use with no registration required.
How does Color.review calculate contrast?
It uses the WCAG 2.1 standard to calculate relative luminance and contrast ratio between two colors. You can enter values in hex, RGB, HSL, CMYK, or CSS.
What are the AA and AAA requirements in Color.review?
For normal text, AA requires a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, and AAA requires 7:1. Large text (≥14pt bold or ≥18pt) needs 3:1 for AA and 4.5:1 for AAA. Interface elements need at least 3:1 for AA.
Who should use Color.review?
Designers, developers, and accessibility auditors who need to quickly test color pairs against WCAG guidelines. It's especially useful for UI work and ensuring compliance with accessibility laws.
Does Color.review have a mobile app or desktop version?
The creator has announced plans for native apps on OS X, Windows, iPhone, and Android with additional features like swatches and eyedropper, but no release date or pricing is available yet.
What are the best alternatives to Color.review?
Popular alternatives include WebAIM Contrast Checker, Stark for Sketch/Figma, and Contrast Ratio by Lea Verou. Most are free, but some require a subscription.
