Text needs enhanced contrast
- Rule:
axe/color-contrast-enhanced - Checks: Elements must meet enhanced color contrast ratio thresholds
- WCAG: 1.4.6
- Fix class:
design: A fix needs a visual decision.
Who it affects
Section titled “Who it affects”- People with low vision, who zoom, magnify or need strong contrast.
- People who see some colors weakly or not at all.
How to fix it
Section titled “How to fix it”The text meets the 4.5:1 minimum but not 7:1
Section titled “The text meets the 4.5:1 minimum but not 7:1”Raise the contrast ratio to at least 7:1, or 4.5:1 for large text: at least 24px (18pt), or at least 18.67px (14pt) and bold. This is Level AAA, beyond the AA minimum. Text below the minimum is reported under color-contrast instead.
The text sits on a background image or gradient
Section titled “The text sits on a background image or gradient”This rule passes such text without measuring it, and color-contrast asks for review instead. Check by hand where the contrast is lowest, against every color behind the text, and put the text on a solid backing color where it falls short.
Fixes that fail
Section titled “Fixes that fail”Choosing a color that comes close, such as 6.9:1
Section titled “Choosing a color that comes close, such as 6.9:1”The thresholds are minimums with no rounding, so 6.99:1 fails.
Making small text bold to use the large-text threshold
Section titled “Making small text bold to use the large-text threshold”Bold text counts as large only from 18.67px (14pt). Smaller bold text still needs 7:1.
More on the rule
Section titled “More on the rule”axe-core’s documentation of the rule
CORA’s fix guidance adapts content from accessibility-agents, under the MIT License: see its notice.