1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA) — WCAG 2.1
WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA): what it requires, a common e-commerce accessibility failure, and how to fix it.
This is educational technical reference content, not legal advice. It explains what WCAG 2.1 requires and how to meet it — not whether a specific site carries legal risk. Compliance with WCAG, the ADA, or any other accessibility law or standard is a legal determination; consult qualified counsel for legal risk assessment.
WCAG 2.1 guidelines hub → Perceivable → 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA)
What it requires: Text and images of text need at least a 4.5:1 contrast ratio against their background (3:1 for large text — 18pt/24px regular or 14pt/18.5px bold and up). Logos and purely decorative or inactive text are exempt.
Common failure: Light-gray body text on a white background, or white text over a busy product photo, both frequently fail this ratio even though they “look fine” at a glance.
Fix it: Check actual rendered colors with a contrast checker, not the design file. See our full color contrast guide for e-commerce-specific patterns (hero banners, sale badges, disabled-looking buttons) that trip this up most.
In 1.4 Distinguishable: ← 1.4.2 Audio Control · 1.4.4 Resize Text →
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This is educational technical reference content, not legal advice. It explains what WCAG 2.1 requires and how to meet it — not whether a specific site carries legal risk. Compliance with WCAG, the ADA, or any other accessibility law or standard is a legal determination; consult qualified counsel for legal risk assessment.
This page was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person for accuracy before publication.