- Success Criterion 1.4.3
- Conformance level AA
Large Heading Text That Still Falls Below 3:1 Contrast
1.4.3 — Contrast (Minimum)
Scenario
Setting
A university's online course catalog
What’s wrong
Large text (≥24px / ≥18.66px bold) below 3:1.
Example
Here's a real case from a university's online course catalog: large text (≥24px / ≥18.66px bold) below 3:1.
Why it matters
Low-vision and older readers, plus anyone viewing a dim or sunlit screen. In this case (a university's online course catalog), they can't perceive part of the content because of how it's displayed.
How to test
Measure text at or above 24px (or 18.66px/14pt bold) against its background: it needs at least 3:1.
How to fix
The text must meet at least 4.5:1 contrast (3:1 for large text) against its actual background in every state (default, hover, focus, selected).
Outcome
Once corrected, a university's online course catalog lets them tell the information apart without relying on color.
Who is affected
Low-vision and older readers, plus anyone viewing a dim or sunlit screen.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Text Color Set Without a Matching Background Color
- Text Placed Directly Over a Photo With No Solid Backing
- Body Text Contrast That Falls Below the 4.5:1 Minimum
- Placeholder Text With Contrast Too Low to Read Easily
- Text on a Gradient Background Dropping Below Contrast Ratio
- Semi-Transparent Text That Fails the Contrast Minimum