Chrome has no high contrast switch of its own. To get high contrast in Chrome, turn on your computer’s contrast setting (on Windows, Google says Chrome’s colors automatically follow it), or add Google’s free High Contrast extension, which can invert or remove colors on any site, site by site. Steps for both are below.
How to Enable High Contrast Mode in Chrome
Pick the method that suits you: the extension changes only web pages in Chrome, while the system setting changes your whole screen.
Using the High Contrast Extension
- Open the High Contrast extension in the Chrome Web Store. It is one of Google’s own accessibility extensions.
- Click Add to Chrome and confirm by selecting Add extension.
- To the right of the address bar, click High Contrast.
- Under “Color scheme for [site],” select the color scheme you want. The filters can increase contrast, flip black and white, or remove colors altogether.
- To turn it off, click High Contrast > Disable.
chrome://extensions/shortcuts. Some built-in pages, like the New Tab page, Chrome settings and the Chrome Web Store, can’t be changed by the extension.Enabling High Contrast Mode in Windows
- Select the Start button, then Settings.
- Select Accessibility > Contrast themes.
- Choose a theme from the Contrast themes menu and select Apply. To turn it off, choose None.
- Shortcut: press left Alt + left Shift + Print Screen to turn high contrast on or off. Microsoft’s color contrast guide shows how to make your own theme.
Enabling High Contrast Mode on macOS
- Choose Apple menu > System Settings.
- Click Accessibility in the sidebar, then click Display.
- Turn on Increase contrast. You can also turn on Invert colors or Reduce transparency.
Enabling High Contrast Mode on Linux
- On the GNOME desktop, open the Activities overview and type Accessibility.
- Open the Accessibility panel and select Seeing.
- Turn on High Contrast. Other desktops have their own setting.
Customizing Color Schemes for Readability
Different color changes help different people. Here are the options Google and the operating systems offer:
- High Contrast extension: choose a different color scheme for each site, as described above.
- Color Enhancer extension: Google’s Color Enhancer adjusts webpage colors for color vision deficiencies. Click it, select Setup, and move the slider until you can see as many stars as possible.
- Chromebook: select the time, then Settings > Accessibility. Under display and magnification you can turn on color inversion or color correction filters.
- Windows: after choosing a contrast theme, you can change the colors of individual screen elements.
High Contrast Mode on Different Operating Systems
| Operating System | Native High Contrast Support | Chrome Extension Compatibility |
|---|---|---|
| Windows | Yes, through Settings > Accessibility > Contrast themes. | Works. |
| macOS | Yes, via System Settings > Accessibility > Display. | Works. |
| Linux | Yes, depending on the desktop (GNOME: Accessibility > Seeing). | Works. |
Per-Site Contrast Adjustments
The High Contrast extension remembers a color scheme for each site:
- Navigate to your desired website in Chrome.
- Click on the High Contrast extension icon.
- Under “Color scheme for [site],” select the scheme you want for that site.
- Repeat for other websites as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I enable high contrast mode in Chrome?
You can enable high contrast mode by installing the High Contrast extension from the Chrome Web Store or by adjusting system-wide settings on your OS.
Does Chrome have a built-in dark theme?
Yes. On a New Tab page, select Customize Chrome, then under “Appearance” choose Dark, Light or Device. Dark mode darkens Chrome itself, which is not the same as high contrast. See our guide to dark mode in Chrome.
Can I customize the colors in high contrast mode?
Yes, both the Chrome extension and OS settings allow you to customize color schemes for better readability.
Are there keyboard shortcuts for high contrast mode?
On Windows, left Alt + left Shift + Print Screen turns high contrast on or off. The High Contrast extension’s shortcut is listed at chrome://extensions/shortcuts.
Is high contrast mode available on Linux?
Yes, high contrast mode is available on Linux through system settings or by using the Chrome extension.