Accessibility6 min read

Accessibility Testing Tools

The essential toolkit for ensuring your colors work for everyone.

Testing Workflow

Design phase: Use Figma/Sketch plugins to check as you design. Development: Use browser extensions to audit live pages. Pre-launch: Run comprehensive audits with axe or Lighthouse.

Browser Extensions

WAVE

Comprehensive accessibility evaluation tool. Shows errors directly on page.

wave.webaim.org

Free

axe DevTools

Industry-standard accessibility testing. Detailed issue explanations.

deque.com/axe

Free

Lighthouse

Built into Chrome DevTools. Accessibility audit with scores.

Built-in

Free

NoCoffee

Simulates various vision impairments including CVD.

Chrome Web Store

Free

Design Tool Plugins

Stark (Figma/Sketch)

Contrast checking, CVD simulation, and accessibility suggestions.

getstark.co

Paid

A11y - Color Contrast (Figma)

Quick contrast ratio checker for Figma.

Figma Community

Free

Color Blind (Figma)

Simulate how designs appear to color-blind users.

Figma Community

Free

Contrast (macOS)

Menu bar app for quick contrast checking.

usecontrast.com

Free

Online Checkers

WebAIM Contrast Checker

Simple, reliable contrast ratio calculator.

webaim.org/resources/contrastchecker

Free

Coolors Contrast Checker

Visual contrast checker with WCAG levels.

coolors.co/contrast-checker

Free

Colour Contrast Analyser

Desktop app with eyedropper tool.

TPGi

Free

Who Can Use

Shows how colors appear to users with various conditions.

whocanuse.com

Free

Quick Testing Checklist

Check all text/background combinations for 4.5:1 contrast
Test large text (18pt+) for 3:1 contrast
Verify UI components (buttons, inputs) meet 3:1 contrast
Simulate deuteranopia and protanopia views
Ensure no information is conveyed by color alone
Test focus states are visible
Verify links are distinguishable from regular text
Check error and success states have non-color indicators

Automated vs Manual Testing

🤖 Automated Tools Can Find

  • • Contrast ratio failures
  • • Missing alt text
  • • Form label issues
  • • ARIA problems

👁️ Manual Testing Needed For

  • • Color-only information
  • • Meaningful focus order
  • • Context-dependent issues
  • • Real-world usability

Automated tools catch about 30-50% of accessibility issues. Always combine with manual review and ideally user testing with people who have disabilities.

Skip the Testing Hassle

Aura Mixer generates palettes that are pre-tested for accessibility. Every color combination meets WCAG AA standards.

Generate Accessible Palette