APCA & WCAG: Semantic Alignment ↗

Visualizing the viable design space when forcing mathematical translation versus IPAX's Semantic Alignment. These graphs plot APCA Lightness Contrast (Lc) against WCAG Contrast Ratio. Each point represents a unique color pair, generated by sweeping the full luminance range of the chosen text and surface colors.

Y-Axis (Text Color)
0.00
0
X-Axis (Surface Color)
0.00
0
Sweep Mode

WCAG Only

Min: WCAG ≥ 3.0:1

(LIGHT) • APCA Lc • (DARK)
WCAG Ratio
Awaiting analysis...

APCA Only

Min: APCA ≥ Lc 45

(LIGHT) • APCA Lc • (DARK)
WCAG Ratio
Awaiting analysis...

APCA-WCAG Equivalence ↗

Min: WCAG ≥ 4.5:1 AND APCA ≥ Lc 60

(LIGHT) • APCA Lc • (DARK)
WCAG Ratio
Awaiting analysis...

IPAX Semantic Alignment

Min: WCAG ≥ 4.5:1 AND APCA ≥ Lc 45

(LIGHT) • APCA Lc • (DARK)
WCAG Ratio
Awaiting analysis...

The Transition Compromise: As long as WCAG 2.x is legally binding, any intersection with a perceptual space reduces the viable design space. The IPAX Semantic Alignment provides a pragmatic bridge: it maximizes the usable color space without sacrificing legal compliance or optical safety.

The Collapsed Space (Valid UI Colors Rejected by APCA Math)

Click row to open in Sampler ↗

Pairs that achieve WCAG 4.5:1 and are optically legible (≥ Lc 45), but would be rejected if enforcing Lc 60 as the WCAG AA equivalent.

PairWCAGAPCAActive PenaltiesIPAX Score

The Legal Danger Zone (WCAG False Positives)

Click row to open in Sampler ↗

Pairs that achieve WCAG 4.5:1 (Legal) but fail the physical optical minimum of Lc 45. This forces IPAX's Strict Strategy to downgrade them.

PairWCAGAPCAActive PenaltiesIPAX Score
Hover to inspect. Click to pin.
Open in IPAX Sampler ↗
Awaiting input... 
Awaiting inspection data...