---
title: "Accessible Web Design Tips: Be Careful with Neutral Colors"
description: Learn how the best practices of digital accessibility can help you build a stronger approach to web internationalization.
---

[Digital Accessibility Blog ](https://www.boia.org/blog)

# [Accessible Web Design Tips: Be Careful with Neutral Colors](https://www.boia.org/blog/accessible-web-design-tips-be-careful-with-neutral-colors)

 Written by [Sarah](https://www.boia.org/blog/author/sarah) | Dec 29, 2023

 

If you read the title of this article and immediately recoiled, we’ve got some good news: You can certainly use neutral colors in web design. In fact, there are many situations in which neutral colors are a much better option than bright hues. 

But we’ve seen quite a few gray-and-black websites in recent years, and many of those designs make a common accessibility mistake: They aren’t designed for users with [color vision deficiencies](https://www.boia.org/blog/what-is-color-blindness-accessibility) (also called color blindness) and other vision disabilities. 

If you find yourself using a lot of grays, beiges, and browns, here’s what you need to know to make sure your designs are inclusive.

 

## Color contrast is important, particularly for text

 

Web designers often have excellent vision and a good understanding of how different hues affect messaging. However, users aren’t a monolith — some of them have limited vision, some have devices with low-resolution screens, and some use low-brightness settings. 

You want your content to appeal to all of those users. That’s where color contrast becomes critically important: If neutral text appears over a neutral background, some people will be left out of the conversation. 

Fortunately, it’s easy to test for accessible color contrast. The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) [requires most text to maintain a contrast ratio](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG21/Understanding/contrast-minimum.html) of at least 4.5:1, while large-scale text (and images of large-scale text) must maintain a contrast ratio of at least 3:1. 

When measuring contrast ratios, be exact! Don’t trust your own perception of color. Tools like the[ a11y® Color Contrast Accessibility Validator](https://color.a11y.com/) quickly test content and color-pairs against WCAG, removing the guesswork. 

Related: [Designing for Color Contrast: Guidelines for Accessibility](https://www.boia.org/blog/designing-for-color-contrast-guidelines-for-accessibility)

 

## User interface elements must also have appropriate contrast

 

Contrast is also important for user interface (UI) elements like buttons and form field indicators. In recent years, [soft UI has become trendy](https://www.boia.org/blog/how-soft-user-interface-designs-impact-accessibility), but those interfaces are usually designed for high-resolution screens.

Remember, not all users *have* high-resolution screens. Some users may miss interactive elements that fail to “pop out" from the background — and usually, this is because they’re using neutral colors for a cleaner look.

Once again, the solution is to test color-pairs against WCAG’s contrast requirements. You should also keep these tips in mind:

 

- Make sure that controls have [accessible names and labels](https://www.boia.org/blog/how-accessible-names-can-help-or-frustrate-your-users). Provide clear text instructions to ensure that users understand the interface.
- Test keyboard focus. Many people use a keyboard alone (with no mouse) to browse the internet. Make sure that focused elements are visually distinct and consider implementing [custom focus styles](https://www.boia.org/blog/tips-for-meeting-wcag-1.4.13-content-on-hover-or-focus).
- Don’t use color alone to guide your users. [Read about how to avoid using color to convey information](http://e/).
- Use an appropriate aesthetic for the situation. Neutral colors might make sense for a clothing e-store, for example, but if you’re building a mobile banking app, you’ll probably need clear, visually distinct hues. 

 

Related: [Accessibility Tips: Be Cautious When Using Autofocus](https://www.boia.org/blog/accessibility-tips-be-cautious-when-using-autofocus)

 

## The goal of inclusive design is to help you grow your audience

 

Remember, web accessibility improves experiences for real users — it doesn’t limit your options as a designer. When you use color in an accessible way, you make your product more navigable, readable, and useful. 

There’s a common myth that [digital accessibility makes websites ugly, plain, or boring](https://www.boia.org/blog/will-digital-accessibility-make-my-website-ugly). Fortunately, that’s not true: Many of the internet’s most popular websites meet WCAG’s requirements for color, and more top brands are [prioritizing universal design](https://www.boia.org/blog/universal-design-an-introduction-for-digital-content-creators) than ever before.  

To learn more about the core principles of accessibility, download our free eBook: [Essential Guide to ADA Compliance for Websites](https://www.boia.org/user-friendly-guide-to-ada-compliance-for-websites-ebook). 

And if you’re ready to test your website for common accessibility barriers, get started with our [free automated web accessibility analysis](https://www.boia.org/user-friendly-guide-to-ada-compliance-for-websites-ebook).

[View full post](https://www.boia.org/blog/accessible-web-design-tips-be-careful-with-neutral-colors)

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