Color Picker vs Color Contrast Checker
Both tools are 100% free, browser-based, and require no signup. Here is how they differ so you can pick the right one for your task.
Color Picker
Free color picker and palette generator. Get HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK values for any color and generate complementary, analogous, triadic, and monochromatic color palettes. No signup required.
Use Color Picker →Color Contrast Checker
Free WCAG color contrast checker. Enter foreground and background colors to instantly see the contrast ratio and whether it passes WCAG 2.1 AA and AAA standards for normal and large text. No signup.
Use Contrast Checker →Feature Comparison
| Feature | Color Picker | Contrast Checker |
|---|---|---|
| Pick any color with the visual color picker or hex input | ✓ | — |
| Instant HEX, RGB, HSL, and CMYK values with copy buttons | ✓ | — |
| Generate 5 palette types: Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, Split-Complementary, Monochromatic | ✓ | — |
| Click any palette color to set it as the active color | ✓ | — |
| Copy any color value with one click | ✓ | — |
| 100% browser-based — no server, no signup | ✓ | — |
| Instant WCAG 2.1 contrast ratio calculation | — | ✓ |
| Pass/fail badges for AA and AAA (normal and large text) | — | ✓ |
| Live text preview on your chosen background | — | ✓ |
| Color picker + hex input for both colors | — | ✓ |
| One-click color swap | — | ✓ |
| Relative luminance values for both colors | — | ✓ |
| 100% free — no signup, no watermarks | ✓ | ✓ |
| Browser-based — files never uploaded | ✓ | ✓ |
When to Use Each Tool
- →Click the color swatch to open the visual color picker, or type a HEX value directly into the text input.
- →Click any value (HEX, RGB, HSL, CMYK) to copy it to your clipboard instantly.
- →Select a palette type — Complementary, Analogous, Triadic, Split-Complementary, or Monochromatic — to generate 5 related colors.
- →Click the color picker or type a hex code for your text color (e.g., #1a1a1a for near-black).
- →Click the color picker or type a hex code for your background (e.g., #ffffff for white).
- →The contrast ratio appears instantly. WCAG AA and AAA badges show pass (green) or fail (red) for both normal and large text.
Frequently Asked Questions
HEX is a base-16 shorthand for RGB, commonly used in web development (e.g., #3b82f6). RGB defines colors by red, green, and blue components (0–255 each). HSL defines colors by hue (0–360°), saturation (0–100%), and lightness (0–100%) — often more intuitive for adjusting colors.
A complementary color is directly opposite on the color wheel (hue + 180°). Complementary pairs create maximum contrast and are used for call-to-action buttons, highlights, and bold accents.
WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) contrast ratio measures the luminance difference between foreground and background colors, expressed as a ratio like 4.5:1. It ranges from 1:1 (no contrast, identical colors) to 21:1 (black on white, maximum contrast). Higher ratios are more readable, especially for users with visual impairments.
WCAG 2.1 Level AA requires: normal text (below 18pt or 14pt bold) — minimum 4.5:1 ratio. Large text (18pt or larger, or 14pt bold) — minimum 3:1 ratio. Most body text qualifies as "normal text." These are the most widely enforced accessibility standards.
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