WCAG results for #595959 on #0f172a
| Check | Requires | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Normal text — AA | 4.5:1 | ✗ Fail |
| Large text — AA | 3:1 | ✗ Fail |
| Normal text — AAA | 7:1 | ✗ Fail |
| Large text — AAA | 4.5:1 | ✗ Fail |
| UI & graphics (non-text) | 3:1 | ✗ Fail |
At 2.55:1, Gray 595959 (#595959) on Dark Slate (#0f172a) does not meet the WCAG 2.1 AA minimum for either normal (4.5:1) or large (3:1) text. It should not be used for readable text.
How to fix it
The nearest accessible alternatives that pass AA for normal text:
-
Darken/adjust the text to
#828282(keeps the #0f172a background) — check it. -
Or adjust the background to
#c7d2eb(keeps the #595959 text) — check it.
Open this pair in the contrast checker →
Related color pairs
How contrast ratio is measured
The ratio compares the relative luminance of the text and background, on a scale from 1:1 (no contrast) to 21:1 (black on white). WCAG 1.4.3 requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text; the stricter AAA level wants 7:1 and 4.5:1. Low contrast is the single most common WCAG failure and a frequent trigger in ADA website lawsuits — but it's also one of the easiest to fix.