Enable High Contrast in Ubuntu: A Guide

High contrast in Ubuntu increases the color difference between text, window borders and backgrounds, so everything is easier to read. It is a built-in accessibility setting. It helps if you have low vision or if bright displays strain your eyes.

On Ubuntu 22.04 LTS the change applies right away. Letters and shapes get sharper, and your display brightness stays the same. You don’t need to install anything or restart.

How to use high Contrast in Ubuntu Linux

High contrast makes text and images stand out when a bright screen is hard on your eyes. It switches the desktop to stark, high-difference colors. You can turn it on from the login screen, before you even sign in, or from the Settings app ⚙️ once you are on the desktop. Both ways use only what ships with Ubuntu.

This guide covers three ways to switch it on and off. Here’s how to do that.

The quickest way to use high contrast is the accessibility feature on the login screen. It is useful when the default colors are too hard to read and you can’t see where to type your password.

1. Start your PC and wait for the login screen.
2. Click the accessibility icon in the top bar, highlighted below.
3. In the menu that opens, toggle the switch for High Contrast to on.

The login screen should change to high-contrast colors straight away. To undo it, open the same menu and toggle the switch off.

The Settings app is another route once you are signed in. You reach it from the system menu in the top-right corner of the screen.

If you turned high contrast on at login and the desktop still looks normal, use the steps below to switch it on there as well.

The Settings app is the central control panel for system configuration. Display, network, sound and accessibility options all live there.

1. Click the System menu in the top-right corner of the desktop. It is the group of status icons (network, sound, power).

A drop-down panel should open with quick toggles, a volume slider and buttons along the bottom.

2. On the System menu, select Settings, as shown below.

The Settings window should open.

3. In the Settings app, click the Accessibility tile to open its panel.

On Ubuntu 22.04 the Accessibility entry sits in the left-hand list of the Settings window. If you can't see it, scroll down the list or use the search icon at the top.

4. In the Settings › Accessibility panel, find the Seeing section.
5. Toggle the switch for High Contrast to the On position.

The window colors should change at once, and the Settings window itself will switch to the high-contrast look. No restart is needed.

To disable it, move the switch back to the Off position. The normal theme returns immediately.

This is handy if you switch often.

1. Click the accessibility icon on the top bar.
2. Select High Contrast in the menu that opens.

The colors change each time you click it. If you don't see the accessibility icon on the top bar, it may be hidden. Look in the Accessibility panel of Settings for an option to always show the accessibility menu, and turn it on.

Close the window once the switch is active. Your choice is saved, so it stays on until you turn it off. This high contrast mode is a reliable option for anyone dealing with low vision or light sensitivity.

Here is a short recap of what high contrast does and where to find it.

• The high contrast feature in Ubuntu Linux provides a valuable tool for users with low vision and light sensitivity.
• By adjusting the contrast of windows and buttons, users can distinguish between objects that differ only by color, offering improved clarity.
• Users can easily enable or disable high contrast through the accessibility feature on the login screen or via the System Settings panel.
• This feature enhances the user experience by offering a customizable interface and promoting inclusivity and accessibility.
• The high contrast feature can significantly improve visibility without impacting the overall screen brightness, providing a tailored solution for users facing visibility challenges.