Color Accessibility on the Web
The UT Health Sciences websites and digital applications aim to comply with WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines. This includes a required contrast ratio for text and images of text of at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text. WCAG 2.1 requires a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 for graphics and user interface components (such as form input borders).
To make choosing accessible colors easy, use the guide below to view accessible combinations of our primary and secondary color palette as applied to large text (18pt and larger, 14pt bold and larger), small text (17.9pt and smaller, 13.9pt bold and smaller) and graphical elements. This color palette is best-suited for digital properties such as the website and email.
Tennessee Orange Accessibility
Tennessee Orange
CMYK 0 50 100 0
HEX E78824
RGB 231 136 36
PMS 151
None of our brand colors meet the minimum level of contrast when used in combination with Tennessee Orange. This includes orange text on a white background and white text on an orange background.
The only the secondary color of black is dark enough to be paired with Tennessee Orange. However, we will rarely use this color combination and instead for digital content should look to the color combinations below.
Accessible Foreground Colors on White Background
Health Sciences Orange on White
Health Sciences Orange
HEX #E07400
Large text only
Health Sciences Green on White
Health Sciences Green
HEX #4D701F
All text sizes
80% Black on White
80% BLACK
HEX #585E5C
All text sizes
Black text on white
Black
HEX #000000
All text sizes
Legacy Green on White
Legacy Green
HEX #006747
All text sizes
Dark orange on white
Dark Orange
HEX #C14C23
All text sizes
Accessible Background Colors for White Text
White text on Health Sciences Orange
Health Sciences Orange
HEX #E07400
Large text only
White text on Health Sciences Green
Health Sciences Green
HEX #4D701F
All text sizes
White text on 80% Black
80% BLACK
HEX #585E5C
All text sizes
White text on Black
Black
HEX #000000
All text sizes
White text on Legacy Green
Legacy Green
HEX #006747
All text sizes
White text on Dark Orange
Dark Orange
HEX #C14C23
All text sizes
Accessible Background Colors for 80% Black Text
80% Black on Light Green
Light Green
HEX #BFE193
All text sizes
80% Black on Light Gray
Light Gray
HEX #D5D7D7
All text sizes
80% Black on Light Orange
Light Orange
HEX #F7CF8E
All text sizes
Web Page Accessibility Tools and Resources
To determine if a website is accessible, there are several resources for testing. Helpful guides are available via the WCAG website as well as the following sites: