Colour palette

Design and content

These colours have been contrast tested as background colours with white or grey (#282828) text. Use a colour contrast checker when using any other colour of text.

Use Co-op’s colour palette:

• to draw users’ focus to particular content areas
• to give emphasis, depth and highlight to our work where needed
• in the right context — for example don’t use large amounts of colour in a form, it can distract the user
• with restraint — users can read content better when we use limited colour
• to help convey meaning to interaction patterns, for example, for mandatory form fields. Never use colour alone to do this.
• to communicate the Co-op brand — see the brand guidelines

Accessibility

Think about how your colour choices can affect legibility and accessibility — read WCAG 2.0 specifications on using colour. To be legible, text and background colours must have a minimum contrast between them. You can check colour contrasts online using:

• Web Aim’s Colour Contrast Checker
• Color Oracle (free colour blindness simulator)
• As well as using these tools, test colour contrast with people of all abilities.

If you have a question about colour, contact design@coopdigital.co.uk.

For more information see our general guide on accessibility.