Why is it hard to see yellow writing on white paper?

Answer 1

I thought it was complementary colors next to each other that vibrate.

Anyways yeah, depending on what kind of yellow you're talking about, its value can reach very close to white, so like everyone says lack of contrast.

Answer 2

Because they are too close in tone, to see clearly you need a distinct contrast at the edge, so black on white is the clearest and easier to read. Look also at white print on light blue or pink paper, very tricky to distinguish.

Answer 3

I like all these answers but an additional note:
Colours alike put next to each other will look like they are vibrating, and if you stare at it long enough you will see sickle shapes surrounding the text. This is a phenomenon happening in the brain whilst your eyes are adjusting to the onslaught of light.

Answer 4

Simple. Lack of contrast. Yellow is light, so, of course is white.

Answer 5

It may be that the yellow is that bright that it becomes hard to see.

Answer 6

Common sense.

Yellow and white are too close in shades--the contrast is so low that it is difficult for the eye to differentiate between them.

Answer 7

Because yellow is a bright color and because white is pale

Answer 8

Temporary colour blindness...the two are light shades and the eyes cannot pick out one shade from another.

Answer 9

because there isn't enough contrast - same as navy blue print on black paper

Answer 10

good question. something to do with pigments maybe. don't know.