- Success Criterion 1.4.1
- Conformance level A
Editable Fields Identified Only by a Color-Coded Legend
1.4.1 — Use of Color
Scenario
Setting
A video streaming service's show detail page
What’s wrong
"Fields in blue are editable" style legends where the distinction exists only chromatically.
Example
<span class="required-field"></span> <!-- red asterisk only -->Why it matters
People with color-vision deficiency, low vision, or constrained viewing conditions such as strong glare.
How to test
View a color legend (e.g., 'blue fields are editable') in grayscale: if the distinction vanishes, it fails.
How to fix
A second visual cue (text, underline, icon, or pattern) must convey the information alongside color.
<span class="required-field">* <span class="visually-hidden">required</span></span>Color alone (a red dot or border) can't be the only signal — pair it with text or an icon plus label.
Outcome
On a video streaming service's show detail page, this barrier is gone for people with color-vision deficiency — they can complete the task without hitting this wall.
Who is affected
People with color-vision deficiency, low vision, or constrained viewing conditions such as strong glare.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
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- Required or Error Fields Marked Only by a Red Border
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- Form Validation That Turns Borders Red as the Only Cue