The Effect of Color Combinations on the Efficiency of Text Recognition in Digital Devices

The color combination of the text background in digital reading can significantly impact reading efficiency, and prolonged digital reading can affect the efficiency of text recognition. Text background color combinations designed for the display characteristics of digital devices can make users’ reading more efficient. This study investigated the effects of five factors - hue, saturation, brightness, text color and background texture - on text recognition efficiency and text legibility in digital reading, using eye-tracking technology and the E-prime psychology experimental operating platform. Pupil diameter was recorded using eye-tracking technology, and correctness and response time were recorded on the E-prime psychological operating platform, with subjective assessment of text legibility on a Likert scale. The results showed that the green-black combination had better legibility and higher recognition efficiency among light background and dark text combinations. And the peach-light grey combination performed the worst. As for the dark background and light text combinations, the green-white combination showed better legibility and recognition efficiency. Meanwhile, the background texture did not significantly affect reading efficiency in the experiment. This study investigated the factors influencing digital reading interfaces regarding recognition efficiency and legibility, which provided a reference for the design of digital reading interactive interfaces and had practical implications for reducing recognition efficiency decline due to prolonged reading.