Contrast between foreground and background colours are tested to ensure WCAG AA compliance. Where colour is used to draw attention to an item and insufficient contrast exists between a background colour and element colour, additional techniques may be required to provide support for users unable to perceive the colour.
University of Leeds Brand colours
These are the online brand colours for The University of Leeds
    Reds
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #910000
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 9.52:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 9.52:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #c70000
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.12:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.12:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand--bright
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ff4e36
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 4.69:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 3.28:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand--pastel
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ff8a7a
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.73:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.73:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand--faded
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ffeded
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.65:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.65:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Black
        "Neutrals" for page architecture, site masthead and footer
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-black--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #0a0202
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 20.53:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 20.53:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-black
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #212121
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 16.1:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 16.1:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-black--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #6e6b6b
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.27:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.27:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-black--faded
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #dedede
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.46:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.46:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Greens
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand-2--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #156265
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.08:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.08:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand-2--bright
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #026E7A
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.97:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.97:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-brand-2--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ABC6C7
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 8.54:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 8.54:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Cool Greys
        "Neutrals" for page architecture
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-grey--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #6a645d
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.84:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 5.84:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-grey--medium
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #bcb8b3
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.81:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.81:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-grey
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ddd9d5
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 10.98:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 10.98:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-grey--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #eae8e6
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.62:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.62:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-grey--faded
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #f3f2f1
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.79:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.79:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Warm Greys
        "Neutrals" for page architecture
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-warmgrey--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #5f5754
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.05:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 7.05:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-warmgrey--medium
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #81746e
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 4.5:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 4.5:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-warmgrey
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #b7aaa4
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.83:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 6.83:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-warmgrey--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #cac2ba
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 8.76:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 8.76:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-warmgrey--faded
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #efeae6
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.91:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.91:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Creams
        "Neutrals" for page architecture
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-cream--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ddcfc0
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 10.1:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 10.1:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-cream--medium
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #e9e1d8
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.91:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.91:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-cream
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #f6eee5
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-cream--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #faf6f1
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 14.33:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 14.33:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Whites
        "Neutrals" for page architecture
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-white--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #fffbf5
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 14.96:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 14.96:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-white
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #ffffff
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 15.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 15.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Tertiary colours
        Used sparingly, to provide contrast for highlighting and messaging.
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-blue--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #00323d
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.78:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 13.78:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-blue
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #003a52
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.15:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 12.15:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-blue--bright
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #1a84c7
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Large dark text
                        
                         Ratio: 3.79:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 4.06:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Text
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-font--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #0e0c0c
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 19.5:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 19.5:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-font
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #212529
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 15.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 15.42:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-font--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #3B3B3B
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.2:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 11.2:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
 
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-font--x-light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #636363
 
            
            
                - Acccessible use
 
                - 
                        
                        Normal light text
                        
                         Ratio: 6:1 WCAG 2.1: AA
                    
 
                - 
                        
                        Large light text
                        
                         Ratio: 6:1 WCAG 2.1: AAA
                    
 
                
  
 
    Links
        Links in documents and articles should always use this colour where the background is white. If a non-white background colour is used the link should be black or white.
    
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-link
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #910000
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-link--hover
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #0e0c0c
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-link--visited
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #570000
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-link--active
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #570000
 
            
              
 
    Borders
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-border--light
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #c9c8c5
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-border
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #51504c
 
            
              
 
    Alerts
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-alert--error
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #d4351c
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-alert--warning
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #e76f16
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-alert--success
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #3a9018
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-alert--info
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #1993bd
 
            
              
 
    New brand colours
        
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-teal
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #00D0A0
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-teal--dark
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #00A881
 
            
             
            
            
                - SCSS var
 
                    - $color-cream
 
                - Hexadecimal
 
                    - #FFF0E2