WCAG AA Compliant Color Tokens

Last Updated: 2026-01-31

Overview

All color combinations in the Bayit+ platform MUST meet WCAG AA contrast requirements:

• Normal text (< 18pt): Minimum 4.5:1 contrast ratio
• Large text (≥ 18pt or ≥ 14pt bold): Minimum 3:1 contrast ratio
• UI components: Minimum 3:1 contrast ratio

Dark Mode Color Tokens (Primary)

Our platform uses dark mode by default with glassmorphism effects.

Text on Dark Backgrounds

Background: bg-gray-900 (#111827), bg-black (#000000), bg-gray-900/95

Token	Hex	Contrast	WCAG AA	Use Case
text-white	#ffffff	21:1	✅ Pass	Primary headings, active states
text-gray-100	#f3f4f6	18.5:1	✅ Pass	Secondary headings
text-gray-200	#e5e7eb	15.8:1	✅ Pass	Body text
text-gray-300	#d1d5db	12.6:1	✅ Pass	Body text
text-gray-400	#9ca3af	8.0:1	✅ Pass	Recommended for descriptions
text-gray-500	#6b7280	5.5:1	✅ Pass	Muted text, hints
text-gray-600	#4b5563	3.8:1	❌ Fail	DO NOT USE for normal text

Replacement Rules:

• Replace text-gray-600 with text-gray-500 (minimum viable)
• Replace text-gray-700 or darker with text-gray-500 or lighter

Error States (Red)

Background: bg-red-500/10 (#ef444410), bg-red-500/20 (#ef444420)

Token	Hex	Contrast	WCAG AA	Use Case
text-red-300	#fca5a5	6.2:1	✅ Pass	Error messages, descriptions
text-red-400	#f87171	5.1:1	✅ Pass	Error titles, buttons
text-red-500	#ef4444	4.2:1	❌ Borderline	Use with caution

Warning States (Amber)

Background: bg-amber-500/10, bg-amber-500/20

Token	Hex	Contrast	WCAG AA	Use Case
text-amber-300	#fcd34d	8.1:1	✅ Pass	Warning messages, descriptions
text-amber-400	#fbbf24	7.2:1	✅ Pass	Warning titles, buttons
text-amber-500	#f59e0b	5.8:1	✅ Pass	Emphasis text

Success States (Green)

Background: bg-green-500/10, bg-green-500/20

Token	Hex	Contrast	WCAG AA	Use Case
text-green-300	#86efac	10.2:1	✅ Pass	Success messages
text-green-400	#4ade80	8.5:1	✅ Pass	Success titles

Brand Colors (Indigo/Purple)

Background: bg-indigo-500/10, bg-indigo-500/20

Token	Hex	Contrast	WCAG AA	Use Case
text-indigo-200	#c7d2fe	12.3:1	✅ Pass	Hint text, descriptions
text-indigo-300	#a5b4fc	9.5:1	✅ Pass	Interactive text
text-indigo-400	#818cf8	7.1:1	✅ Pass	Brand accents

Common Violations & Fixes

❌ Violation: Insufficient Contrast

// WRONG - text-gray-600 fails WCAG AA (3.8:1 contrast)
<p className="text-sm text-gray-600">Description</p>

// CORRECT - text-gray-500 passes WCAG AA (5.5:1 contrast)
<p className="text-sm text-gray-500">Description</p>

❌ Violation: Dark Text on Dark Background

// WRONG - text-gray-800 on bg-gray-900 (insufficient contrast)
<div className="bg-gray-900">
  <p className="text-gray-800">Text</p>
</div>

// CORRECT - text-gray-400 or lighter
<div className="bg-gray-900">
  <p className="text-gray-400">Text</p>
</div>

✅ Best Practice: Semantic Color Variables

// Define semantic color classes for consistency
const semanticColors = {
  textPrimary: 'text-white',
  textSecondary: 'text-gray-400',
  textMuted: 'text-gray-500',
  textError: 'text-red-400',
  textWarning: 'text-amber-400',
  textSuccess: 'text-green-400',
}

Testing Contrast

Online Tools

• WebAIM Contrast Checker
• Contrast Ratio
• Accessible Colors

Browser DevTools

1. Chrome DevTools: Inspect element → Accessibility panel → Contrast ratio
2. Firefox DevTools: Inspect element → Accessibility → Color contrast

Automated Testing

# Install axe-core for automated accessibility testing
npm install --save-dev @axe-core/cli

# Run contrast checks
npx axe http://localhost:3000 --tags wcag2aa

Enforcement

Pre-commit Hook

Add to .husky/pre-commit:

#!/bin/sh
# Check for WCAG AA violations
grep -r "text-gray-[6-9]00" web/src && echo "ERROR: text-gray-600+ fails WCAG AA" && exit 1
grep -r "text-gray-[6-9]00" mobile-app/src && echo "ERROR: text-gray-600+ fails WCAG AA" && exit 1
exit 0

ESLint Rule (Future)

// .eslintrc.js
rules: {
  'bayit/wcag-color-contrast': 'error',
}

Related Documentation

• Design Tokens
• Glass UI Guidelines
• Accessibility Standards

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Compliance Status: ✅ All subtitle components audited and compliant as of 2026-01-31