Accessible Color in Word Documents
When you use color effectively, you ensure that all readers can understand the information you are sharing in a Word document.
This resource provides an overview of the basic requirements to ensure that use of color complies with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1.
Don’t rely on color alone
Information should not be conveyed only through color to convey meaning. Add other cues, like text descriptions, so the information is understandable even if colors cannot be distinguished. For example, if you are using a color-coded pie chart, don’t assume that readers can distinguish between colors to read the chart. Add text labels to identify the segments of the chart.
Use sufficient color contrast
Sufficient contrast between the text and the background makes text easy to read, especially for people with visual impairments or color blindness. Using white and black schemes whenever possible makes it easier for all readers to distinguish text and shapes. If you are using other colors, choose darker rather than brighter colors to increase readability.
Contrast is measured by comparing the brightness of the two colors being presented. Regular text smaller than 18pt or 14pt bold font needs a contrast ratio (foreground to background) of at least 4.5:1. Large text (18pt regular, 14pt bold or larger) needs a minimum contrast ratio (foreground to background) of 3:1.
Check for color contrast
If you are using colors besides black and white in a Word document, there are tools to help you ensure that you are using color accessibly.
- Word's built-in Accessibility Assistant can help identify low-contrast text. It will flag contrast issues and recommend fixes.
- You can also use color contrast checkers like the WebAIM Color Contrast Checker or the WCAG Color Contrast Checker to ensure that the contrast ratio meets accessibility standards.
Additional Resources
WebAIM. (2021). Contrast and Color Accessibility.
World Wide Web Consortium. (2025). Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1.