Accessible Type-Color Combinations

Below we have detailed each of UVA’s brand colors and tints that can be used as background colors with the appropriate type sizes and type colors that will meet University digital accessibility standards and make your presentations and digital products accessible. The University’s standard is that all digital products must be compliant with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) AA level at minimum. If you need further assistance with how to design accessible digital products, please reach out to UVA’s digital accessibility coordinator, Brooke Bailey.

Evaluating Acceptable Combinations

We used WCAG 2.2 standards to evaluate acceptable color ratios. The color ratio is determined by a mathematical calculation of the relative luminance, or brightness, of two colors. This ratio tells how close each color’s luminance is to the other color, which indicates how easily the two colors are distinguishable from each other.

• Normal Text Contrast Ratio: 4.5:1
• Large Text Contrast and Graphical User Interface Components Ratio: 3:1

Regular text is considered anything that is a minimum of 16 pixels up to 23 pixels unbolded and a minimum of 16 pixels to 18.65 pixels bolded.

We’ve indicated color combinations that meet WCAG AAA standards, a higher standard than the University requires but preferable to use if possible. The type color codes specified are hex codes. For an explanation of which background colors are primary, secondary and web-only, visit our brand colors page.

Large text is considered anything that is a minimum of 18.66 pixels bolded or a minimum of 24 pixels unbolded.

We’ve indicated color combinations that meet WCAG AAA standards, a higher standard than the University requires but preferable to use if possible. The type color codes specified are hex codes. For an explanation of which background colors are primary, secondary and web-only, visit our brand colors page.