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What contrast should a signed change keep so sequential scale stays apart from diverging scale at 9 to 1?

A signed change fails when sequential scale and diverging scale sit too close in lightness, even if the hues differ. Aim for about 9 to 1 between text and the ground, and a clear step between neighboring series. The palettes page shows sets built for that, and the studio is where you apply one set instead of picking colors one by one.

At a glance

Lightness before hueTwo series in a signed change can share a hue family if their lightness…
Palettes before the canvasOpen palettes, pick a set that already separates sequential scale from…
Grey for the quiet seriesIf the signed change has one series that is only context, paint it grey and…
Twelve hues is a warning — sequential-vs-diverging-changeA categorical signed change that needs more colors than you can name will not…

Pick the palette before you open the studio. For a signed change, keep text near 9 to 1 against the ground and keep sequential scale clearly lighter or darker than diverging scale. A rainbow that fails that step will still fail after you add a legend.

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Pick the palette before you open the studio. For a signed change, keep text near 9 to 1 against the ground and keep sequential scale clearly lighter or darker than diverging scale. A rainbow that fails that step will still fail after you add a legend.

Lightness before hue

Two series in a signed change can share a hue family if their lightness differs. sequential scale against diverging scale at about 9 to 1 is easier to see on a projector than a pair of bright colors with the same weight.

Palettes before the canvas

Open palettes, pick a set that already separates sequential scale from diverging scale, then carry it into the studio. Building the signed change with ad-hoc clicks rarely hits 9 to 1 on every label.

Grey for the quiet series

If the signed change has one series that is only context, paint it grey and keep the highlight for sequential scale. Do not spend the 9 to 1 step on two categories that are both shouting.

Twelve hues is a warning — sequential-vs-diverging-change

A categorical signed change that needs more colors than you can name will not hold 9 to 1 between neighbors. Split it or switch form before the studio. The palette is not a rainbow picker.

This page is a contrast check for a signed change near 9 to 1. It does not recolor the studio for you and it does not replace a full accessibility audit.

Questions

Is 9 to 1 a studio setting for the signed change?
Treat it as a check you do with the palette, not as a slider that fixes a bad pair. If sequential scale and diverging scale still blend, change the set before you draw the signed change.
Will a color-blind viewer read the signed change?
Only if the palette does not rely on red versus green alone. A lightness step near 9 to 1, plus a direct label, carries the signed change when hue fails.
Should the studio invent colors for the signed change?
No. Bring a palette that already separates sequential scale from diverging scale. The studio applies it. Random picks will miss 9 to 1 on a projector.

Compare palettes · Open the studio

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