What tools can designers use to evaluate color contrast?

Designers have access to a range of tools for evaluating color contrast to ensure that their designs are accessible and meet Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Here are some of the most useful tools:

### **1. **Automated Color Contrast Checkers**

- **WAVE (Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool)**
  - **Description:** WAVE evaluates the accessibility of web pages, including color contrast issues.
  - **Website:** [WAVE](https://wave.webaim.org/)

- **Contrast Checker (by WebAIM)**
  - **Description:** This tool allows users to input foreground and background colors to check their contrast ratio against WCAG standards.
  - **Website:** [WebAIM Contrast Checker](https://webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker/)

- **Color Contrast Analyzer (by The Paciello Group)**
  - **Description:** A desktop application that provides detailed contrast ratio calculations and evaluates compliance with accessibility standards.
  - **Website:** [Color Contrast Analyzer](https://www.paciellogroup.com/resources/contrast-analyser/)

- **Accessibility Insights**
  - **Description:** This tool offers a suite of accessibility testing features, including color contrast checking, and can be used as a browser extension.
  - **Website:** [Accessibility Insights](https://accessibilityinsights.io/)

### **2. **Browser Extensions**

- **axe Accessibility Checker**
  - **Description:** A browser extension that provides accessibility audits, including color contrast evaluations.
  - **Website:** [axe](https://www.deque.com/axe/)

- **Lighthouse**
  - **Description:** A tool integrated into Chrome DevTools that performs accessibility audits, including color contrast checks.
  - **Website:** [Lighthouse](https://developers.google.com/web/tools/lighthouse)

- **Color Contrast Analyzer (Chrome Extension)**
  - **Description:** A browser extension specifically for checking color contrast directly within Chrome.
  - **Website:** [Color Contrast Analyzer Extension](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/color-contrast-analyzer/ljfojaalfgjfpjcbgfjohjkjpmfehhgo)

### **3. **Design Software Plugins**

- **Adobe XD Color Contrast Plugin**
  - **Description:** A plugin for Adobe XD that helps designers check color contrast directly within their design files.
  - **Website:** [Adobe XD Plugins](https://www.adobe.com/products/xd/addons.html)

- **Sketch Accessibility Plugin**
  - **Description:** A plugin for Sketch that provides color contrast analysis and other accessibility checks within design documents.
  - **Website:** [Sketch Plugins](https://www.sketch.com/plugins/)

- **Figma Plugins**
  - **Contrast Checker by Figma Community**
    - **Description:** A plugin for Figma that evaluates color contrast ratios within design files.
    - **Website:** [Figma Contrast Checker](https://www.figma.com/community/plugin/757521822690574611/Contrast-Checker)

### **4. **Color Palettes and Design Systems**

- **Material Design Color Tool**
  - **Description:** Provides tools for evaluating color palettes, including contrast checks for accessibility within Material Design guidelines.
  - **Website:** [Material Design Color Tool](https://material.io/resources/color/)

- **Adobe Color**
  - **Description:** Adobe's color tool allows users to create and evaluate color schemes, including contrast ratios.
  - **Website:** [Adobe Color](https://color.adobe.com/)

### **5. **Manual Methods**

- **Contrast Ratio Calculators**
  - **Description:** Simple calculators that let users input hex values to determine the contrast ratio between two colors. Examples include those provided by WebAIM and other accessibility resources.

- **Design Mockups Review**
  - **Description:** Manually reviewing design mockups under different conditions, such as various screen brightness levels and ambient lighting, can help assess real-world usability.

### **Summary**

Using a combination of these tools and methods helps designers ensure that their color choices meet accessibility standards and enhance usability. Automated tools and browser extensions provide quick evaluations, while design software plugins integrate accessibility checks directly into the design process. Manual reviews and testing with actual users further ensure that designs are practical and inclusive.