Color contrast is one of the most common accessibility warnings flagged by Google Lighthouse in WordPress websites.
It’s also one of the most misunderstood.
It’s also one of the most misunderstood.
Many developers and designers dismiss contrast issues because “the text looks readable” or “the design would look worse with stronger colors”.
In reality, Lighthouse is usually right — not because it enforces subjective design rules, but because it checks measurable WCAG requirements.
Let’s clarify what really matters.
In reality, Lighthouse is usually right — not because it enforces subjective design rules, but because it checks measurable WCAG requirements.
Let’s clarify what really matters.
Color Contrast in WordPress: Why Lighthouse Is Right (Most of the Time)
Table of Contents
What Color Contrast Actually Means (Not What People Think)
Color contrast measures the difference in luminance between foreground text and its background.
WCAG doesn’t care about taste, branding, or visual trends — only about readability under real-world conditions.
The key thresholds are simple:
WCAG doesn’t care about taste, branding, or visual trends — only about readability under real-world conditions.
The key thresholds are simple:
These ratios are not averages across a page.
They apply to every text/background color combination individually.
That’s why a single gray paragraph can fail even if the rest of the page looks fine.
They apply to every text/background color combination individually.
That’s why a single gray paragraph can fail even if the rest of the page looks fine.
Why Lighthouse Flags Contrast Issues in WordPress
Lighthouse evaluates contrast programmatically.
It compares the computed text color against the computed background color, taking into account:
It compares the computed text color against the computed background color, taking into account:
If the contrast ratio doesn’t meet WCAG 2.1 AA, Lighthouse flags it — regardless of whether you think it’s readable.
And in most cases, it’s not being pedantic.
If contrast fails, it fails for a measurable reason — not an aesthetic one.
And in most cases, it’s not being pedantic.
If contrast fails, it fails for a measurable reason — not an aesthetic one.
Common Contrast Mistakes in Modern WordPress Themes
Most contrast problems come from design trends, not bad intentions.
Typical examples:
Typical examples:
Block themes and FSE layouts amplify these issues because styles are often layered and inherited in complex ways.
What looks acceptable on a large monitor may become unreadable on mobile, in sunlight, or for users with low vision.
What looks acceptable on a large monitor may become unreadable on mobile, in sunlight, or for users with low vision.
Readable Typography Is Not “Ugly Design”
One of the biggest myths in accessibility is that readability ruins visual design.
In reality:
In reality:
Good contrast improves design quality.
Bad contrast hides weak design decisions.
Bad contrast hides weak design decisions.
Accessibility doesn’t make websites ugly — poor typography does.
How to Test Color Contrast Properly
Using Lighthouse
Run a Lighthouse audit in Chrome DevTools and check the Accessibility section.
Focus on:
Focus on:
Treat these as real issues, not optional suggestions.
Beyond Lighthouse
Lighthouse is a starting point, not the end:
Contrast problems often hide outside the default viewport.
How to Test Color Contrast Properly
Before considering contrast “done”, verify that:
If Lighthouse flags something repeatedly, it’s usually pointing at a real usability issue.
Final Thought
Lighthouse is not perfect — but when it comes to color contrast, it’s usually on your side.
Instead of fighting the warning, use it as a design quality signal.
Accessibility doesn’t lower visual standards.
It raises them.
Instead of fighting the warning, use it as a design quality signal.
Accessibility doesn’t lower visual standards.
It raises them.
🔗 This article is part of a broader guide on the most critical accessibility areas in WordPress: 6 Expert Techniques to Enhance Accessibility in WordPress
Leave a Reply