1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA) — WCAG 2.1
WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (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 → 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio
1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA)
What it requires: For prerecorded speech-focused audio, background sound must either be absent, removable, or at least 20dB quieter than the foreground speech.
Common failure: A product-review podcast embed has loud background music competing with the narrator’s voice throughout.
Fix it: Mix background audio well below foreground speech, or provide a version with backing music removed entirely.
In 1.4 Distinguishable: ← 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) · 1.4.8 Visual Presentation →
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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.