By ColorblindSimulator Team7/25/2025 • 18 min read

How to Choose Accessible Color Palettes for Your UI (2025 Guide)

Choosing accessible color palettes is one of the most important steps in inclusive UI design. With over 350 million people worldwide affected by color blindness, your color choices can make or break usability. This guide will help you understand color blindness in UI design, master WCAG contrast ratios, avoid common pitfalls, and use the best inclusive design tools to ensure your digital products are accessible to everyone.

Understanding Color Blindness in UI Design

• Protanopia: Reduced sensitivity to red light. Reds may appear brown, gray, or black.
• Deuteranopia: Reduced sensitivity to green light. Greens and reds may be hard to distinguish.
• Tritanopia: Reduced sensitivity to blue light. Blues and yellows may be confused.
• Achromatopsia: Complete color blindness (rare). Everything appears in shades of gray.

Impact: Color blind users may not be able to distinguish between certain colors, making navigation, reading, and completing tasks difficult if color is the only cue.

“Accessible color palettes are essential for usability and compliance. They benefit everyone, not just color blind users.”
— W3C Web Accessibility Initiative

WCAG Contrast Ratios & Why Contrast Matters

• Contrast ratio is the difference in luminance between text (or UI elements) and its background.
• WCAG 2.1 requires a minimum contrast ratio of 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (WCAG contrast ratios).
• High contrast improves readability for everyone, especially users with low vision or color blindness.

Use the Palette Checker or WebAIM Contrast Checker to test your color combinations.

Problematic Color Combinations & Better Alternatives

• Red/Green: The most problematic pair for color blind users. Use blue/orange or purple/yellow instead.
• Blue/Purple: Hard to distinguish for Tritanopia. Try blue/orange or blue/yellow.
• Green/Brown: Can be confused for Deuteranopia and Protanopia. Use green/blue or green/orange.
• Gray/Light Colors: Low contrast with white or light backgrounds.

Tip: Always test your palette with a color blindness simulator or colorblind test to preview how users with different types of color blindness will see your UI.

Inclusive Design Tools for Testing Color Accessibility

• Palette Checker: Test your color palette for contrast and color blindness accessibility.
• Live Webcam Simulator: Preview your real-world environment or physical products for color accessibility.
• Image Simulator: Upload screenshots or UI mockups to see how they appear to color blind users.
• Website Checker: Test any live website for color accessibility issues.
• WebAIM Contrast Checker: Check color contrast ratios for compliance.

Design Alternatives: Patterns, Textures, and Icons

• Use patterns, textures, or icons in addition to color to convey information.
• Label important elements directly (e.g., add text to colored buttons or chart segments).
• Provide tooltips or accessible ARIA labels for interactive elements.

Example: A chart that uses both color and pattern fills, plus direct labels, is readable by all users.

Case Studies: Accessible Color Palettes in Action

Case Study 1: Trello’s Color Blind Mode

Trello added a color blind mode that overlays patterns on colored labels, making task management more accessible for thousands of users.

Case Study 2: London Underground Map

The London Underground map uses both color and unique shapes for each line, making navigation easier for color blind travelers.

Case Study 3: Data Visualization in News Media

Major news outlets like The New York Times use direct labeling and high-contrast palettes in their infographics, ensuring accessibility for all readers.

Key Takeaways

• Accessible color palettes benefit all users, not just those with color blindness.
• Test your colors with Palette Checker, Color Blind Simulator, Live Webcam Simulator, and Colorblind Test.
• Follow WCAG guidelines for best results.