Low contrast can make text and controls difficult to perceive. A palette that looks balanced in a design file still needs to be checked against the actual foreground and background colors in the browser.
Check more than body text
- Measure text against its rendered background, including overlays and gradients.
- Check icons, borders, and focus indicators that communicate important control state.
- Review error and disabled styles rather than assuming gray is always acceptable.
Use an accessibility contrast checker as a diagnostic, then inspect the interface at realistic sizes and brightness. Contrast is one part of accessibility, not a substitute for clear labels or keyboard support.