1.4 Distinguishable · SC 1.4.6

AAA2 min read

Contrast (Enhanced)

The visual presentation of text has a contrast ratio of at least 7:1, except for large text, which requires at least 4.5:1, and incidental text or logotypes, which have no contrast requirement.

In plain language

This is a stricter version of the color-contrast rule: normal-sized text needs even more contrast with its background — a 7:1 ratio instead of the usual 4.5:1 — and large text needs 4.5:1 instead of 3:1.

Why it matters

Some people with low vision need much stronger contrast than the standard minimum to read comfortably. This higher bar makes text legible for a wider range of vision levels, not just the average case.

In practice

Fails this criterion

Dark grey text on a light grey background has only about 3:1 contrast — readable for most people, but not enough for someone who needs the higher AAA-level contrast.

Meets this criterion

The same text is changed to black on white, giving 21:1 contrast — comfortably clearing the 7:1 requirement.

Test it yourself

Check the contrast ratio of the site's body text against its background using a contrast-checking tool. Is it at least 7:1 for normal text (or 4.5:1 for large text)?

Read SC 1.4.6 on the official WCAG 2.2 specification ↗