WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
From How to Meet WCAG 2.1 by the W3C.
The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following:
- Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1;
- Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.
- Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no minimum contrast requirement.
On that last one I wish to point out that if people can't make out what's in your logo, it's a pretty crappy logo. There may be no requirement but don't be an idiot. You want that thing to be recognizable on a poorly-lit billboard in the rain at 70 miles per hour, and that means use some freakin' contrast.
Color Contrast, Beyond the Basics by Beth Raduenzel is a great article about why color contrast is important and also covers why you should underline your goddamned links.
Related Guidelines
WCAG 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) - Level AAA ratchets the guidelines above up to a ratio of 7:1.