- Success Criterion 1.4.3
- Conformance level AA
- W3C reference F83
Text Placed Directly Over a Photo With No Solid Backing
1.4.3 — Contrast (Minimum)
Scenario
Setting
A real-estate marketplace's listing page
What’s wrong
Text sits directly on a background photo without a solid overlay — in parts of the image the text becomes unreadable.
Example
color: #999999; background: #ffffff; /* 2.85:1 */Why it matters
Low-vision and older readers, plus anyone viewing a dim or sunlit screen.
How to test
Use a contrast checker on text placed directly over a photo/background image with no solid overlay: check the lowest-contrast point across the image, not just one spot.
How to fix
Place a solid or scrim background behind text over images so contrast holds everywhere. color: #595959; background: #ffffff; /* 7:1 */ Normal text needs at least 4.5:1 contrast against its background; large text needs at least 3:1.
Outcome
On a real-estate marketplace's listing page, this barrier is gone for low-vision and older readers — they can complete the task without hitting this wall.
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)
- Technique Related technique (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Text Color Set Without a Matching Background Color
- Body Text Contrast That Falls Below the 4.5:1 Minimum
- Large Heading Text That Still Falls Below 3:1 Contrast
- 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