# WCAG Shades — Contrast test your camera feed

> Camera-based tool for WCAG color contrast ratio testing and color blindness simulation. (iPhone/iPad app by Roasting Apps LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wcag-shades/id1570595563 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Roasting Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1516570829)
- Category: Graphics & Design, Developer Tools
- Price: Free
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 App Store ratings
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 14.1 · 2 MB
- Languages: English
- Released: 2021-06-09
- Data updated: 2026-06-11
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wcag-shades/id1570595563/reviews.md

## What is WCAG Shades?

Use your camera to get a feel what WCAG's color contrast ratio. Any pixel in your camera feed that doesn't pass WCAG's guidelines for your chosen contrast color will get knocked out of the picture by Metal. You can also see contrast testing in live color blindness simulations (Machado et al.).

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1, which Apple recommends developers follow, sets a minimum luminance contrast ratio for legible text and icon states. 

(To state the obvious, iPhone and iPad sensors do not magically quantify photoelectrons into absolute lumens. WCAG's heuristic is intended for screens, not whatever exposure bias you choose. This is a conceptual way to explore the guidelines IRL, not some shortcut to telling legal, QA or UX that you tested the latest release super quick... just go have fun.)

## Key features

- Live camera feed contrast testing
- WCAG color contrast ratio visualization
- Color blindness simulation (Machado et al.)
- Pixel highlighting for contrast failures
- Conceptual exploration of accessibility guidelines


## Frequently asked questions about WCAG Shades

### Does WCAG Shades have ads?

No, WCAG Shades does not contain advertisements. It is a completely free application with no ads.

### What devices support WCAG Shades?

WCAG Shades is available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod devices.

### How often is WCAG Shades updated?

The latest version, 1.1, was released on July 24, 2021. The app was initially released on June 9, 2021.

### What is the age rating for WCAG Shades?

WCAG Shades has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users.

### What is the user sentiment for WCAG Shades?

Based on the available data, WCAG Shades has a perfect 5.0-star rating from 2 reviews, indicating very positive user sentiment.

### Can WCAG Shades accurately measure light output?

No, the app's heuristic is intended for screens and conceptual exploration of guidelines, not for precise measurement of photoelectrons into absolute lumens or legal testing.

### Does WCAG Shades offer different contrast ratio levels?

The app allows users to test against WCAG's guidelines for chosen contrast colors, visualizing pixels that don't meet the standard.

## Version history (last 2 releases)

### 1.1 — 2021-07-24

Camera rotation

### 1.0 — 2021-06-09

No release notes.

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## Related topics

[contrast tester for wcag a11y](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/contrast-tester-for-wcag-a11y)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-11.*