1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA) — WCAG 2.1
WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA): 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 → 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)
1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA)
What it requires: A stricter version of 1.4.3 — 7:1 for normal text, 4.5:1 for large text.
Common failure: Same failure modes as 1.4.3, just measured against a higher bar; content that clears AA can still fail this AAA-only threshold.
Fix it: Same remediation as 1.4.3, targeting the higher ratio — generally only pursued for content specifically aimed at low-vision audiences, since AAA isn’t typically a required conformance target.
In 1.4 Distinguishable: ← 1.4.5 Images of Text · 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio →
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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.