What is an accessibility links checker?

An accessibility links checker tests link colors and contrast to ensure they meet WCAG standards for visibility and readability.

How do I check if my links are accessible?

Enter your page or link color into tabnav's accessibility links checker to see whether it meets WCAG contrast requirements.

Why does link contrast matter?

Good link contrast helps users identify clickable elements more easily and supports people with low vision or color blindness.

What contrast ratio do links need?

WCAG recommends at least a 4.5:1 ratio for regular links and 3:1 for large or bold links.

Is the accessibility links checker free?

Yes. The tabnav accessibility links checker is free to use for testing link colors and contrast ratios.

Free Accessibility Links Checker

Text color

Background color

Content Styling

Link Underline

Bold links

Larger Text

Link Color

WCAG

AA: Pass AAA: Pass

Contrast Ratio

Link to text

8.42 Very good

Link to background

8.42 Very good

Text to background

8.42 Very good

Navigating online content should be effortless. Ensuring that important links stand out makes it easier for users to find what they need.

Poor contrast can make critical information hard to spot, leading to frustration. Links should always be clear, whether inside a paragraph or on their own.

Need guidance? Use a links contrast checker and explore best practices to improve readability and accessibility.

Very good contrast and recommended by accessibility experts.

Link Accessibility Checker - WCAG Contrast Compliance Guide

Ensuring proper link contrast is essential for both accessibility and readability. Adequate contrast helps users identify links easily, even within complex layouts or text blocks.

Tabnav link accessibility checker helps you test link visibility, background contrast, and styling such as underline or bold indicators to meet WCAG and global accessibility standards. Whether you're checking navigation menus, buttons, or inline links, this free tool ensures full compliance across your website design.

Contrast Ratio Requirements Explained

Standalone Links - 4.5:1 contrast with the background

Links that appear on their own (e.g., navigation menus, buttons, or isolated links) must have at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio against the background.
This ensures they are clearly visible even without additional styling like underlines or bold formatting.

Inline Links - 3:1 contrast with surrounding text (if relying only on color)

When links appear within a block of text and are only differentiated by color, the contrast ratio must be at least 3:1 against surrounding text to ensure readability for users with color vision deficiencies.
If links use bold styling in addition to color, the contrast requirement applies between the link and the background, not the surrounding text.
If links are underlined, they only need to be a different color from the surrounding text, without a specific contrast ratio requirement, as long as the text and background contrast requirements are met.

Key Considerations for Link Accessibility

Clear Identification - Accessibility links should stand out clearly from regular text so users can identify them easily.
Beyond Color - Use underlines, bold styles, or other visual indicators to enhance link accessibility.
Hover and Focus States - Ensure link contrast remains visible when hovered or focused for better keyboard navigation.
Background Awareness - Links must remain readable on all backgrounds to meet WCAG accessibility requirements.

Learn more on tabnav WCAG Academy: SC 1.4.3 - Contrast (Minimum)

Free Web Accessibility Checker

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Frequently Asked Questions About Accessibility Links

An accessibility links checker tests link colors and contrast to ensure they meet WCAG standards for visibility and readability.
You can enter your page or link color into tabnav's accessibility links checker to see if it meets WCAG contrast requirements.
Good link contrast helps users easily identify clickable elements, improving usability for people with low vision or color blindness.
WCAG recommends at least a 4.5:1 ratio for regular links and 3:1 when the link is large or bold.
Yes, the tabnav accessibility links checker is completely free to use for testing link colors and contrast ratios.