Perceivable / 1.4 Distinguishable
1.4.1Use of Color
Level ADo not rely on color alone to convey information, indicate an action, or distinguish a visual element -- marking form errors in red only, for example, excludes users with color vision deficiencies. Combine color with another cue such as text or an icon; using color itself is not the problem.
Specification updated
- Enhancement#5186(opens in a new tab)G183: Rework to be purely about contrast ratio
Note
A detailed commentary for this success criterion is not yet available. In the meantime, this page lists related patterns, techniques, and links to the normative sources.
Related Techniques
Specific implementation techniques for meeting this success criterion. This site doesn't include the full text, so follow the links to the original W3C documents.
Sufficient Techniques(5)
- G14: Ensuring that information conveyed by color differences is also available in text(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G111: Using color and pattern(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G182: Ensuring that additional visual cues are available when text color differences are used to convey information(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G183: Using a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 to distinguish inline text links from surrounding text(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G205: Including a text cue for colored form control labels(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Advisory Techniques(1)
Failures(3)
- F13: Failure of Success Criterion 1.1.1 and 1.4.1 due to having a text alternative that does not include information that is conveyed by color differences in the image(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- F73: Failure of Success Criterion 1.4.1 due to creating links that are not visually evident without color vision(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- F81: Failure of Success Criterion 1.4.1 due to identifying required or error fields using color differences only(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Normative References
- Success Criterion 1.4.1 Use of Color — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
- Understanding Use of Color — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.