- Success Criterion 1.4.11
- Conformance level AA
Focus Indicator Present but Below the Contrast Minimum
1.4.11 — Non-text Contrast
Scenario
Setting
A hotel booking site's room-selection page
What’s wrong
Focus indicator below 3:1 against background (visible but insufficient).
Example
.room-card:focus { outline: 1px solid #e0e0e0; } /* visible but only about 1.3:1 against the white card */ Why it matters
A guest tabbing through room options can see something happen on focus but can't clearly tell which card is actually selected.
How to test
Tab to a control and measure the focus indicator's own color against the background: it must be visible AND meet 3:1, not merely present.
How to fix
A thicker, darker outline against the white card reaches well past the 3:1 minimum required for focus indicators.
.room-card:focus { outline: 2px solid #1a1a1a; outline-offset: 2px; } Outcome
A guest tabs between rooms and can clearly tell which one is currently focused before pressing Enter.
Who is affected
Keyboard users with low vision get a focus indicator too faint to reliably follow between room cards.
Learn more
- Understanding Understanding document (opens in a new tab)
Related scenarios
- Focus Outline Removed With No Replacement Indicator
- Input Field Border With Contrast Too Low to See
- Checkbox or Radio Outline Too Faint When Unchecked
- Toggle Switch States Too Similar in Color to Tell Apart
- Icon-Only Button Glyph With Contrast Too Low to See
- Star Rating Icons Where Filled and Empty Look Too Similar