Level ASince WCAG 2.0
1.4.1 Use of Color
Guideline 1.4: Distinguishable – Content is easy to see and hear: contrast, size, spacing.
What does the rule require?
Colour is never the only way to convey something. About one in twelve men has difficulty telling red from green.
How to get it right
Add text, an icon or a pattern to colour: error field with red border AND icon AND text “Error: …”. Underline links in running text.
Who benefits most?
- People with colour vision deficiency
- People with low vision
Official wording
This page explains the rule in simple words. Only the original W3C text is normative.
- “Understanding Use of Color” at W3C (external site)
- Techniques in the WCAG Quick Reference (external site)