Level AASince WCAG 2.0
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
Guideline 1.4: Distinguishable – Content is easy to see and hear: contrast, size, spacing.
What does the rule require?
Text stands out clearly from its background: at least 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text (24 px and up, or 18.66 px bold).
How to get it right
Check every colour pair with a contrast checker. Light grey on white (#999 on #fff = 2.8:1) fails, #595959 on white (7:1) passes.
Who benefits most?
- People with low vision
- People with colour vision deficiency
- Everyone
Official wording
This page explains the rule in simple words. Only the original W3C text is normative.
- “Understanding Contrast (Minimum)” at W3C (external site)
- Techniques in the WCAG Quick Reference (external site)