WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (Minimum)

Text and images of text must have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text).

Perceivable Level AA Serious Impact

Check if your website passes WCAG 1.4.3

Common Failures

Light gray text on white backgrounds, placeholder text with insufficient contrast, text over images without overlay.

How to Fix

Use contrast checking tools to verify all text meets 4.5:1 ratio. Consider using darker text colors or adding background overlays behind text on images.

How EAAPass Tests WCAG 1.4.3

EAAPass automatically tests WCAG 1.4.3 (Contrast (Minimum)) using three engines simultaneously:

  • axe-core — Checks DOM elements against the 1.4.3 rule set
  • Google Lighthouse — Validates accessibility in the context of overall page quality
  • Pa11y — HTML_CodeSniffer integration for WCAG-specific testing
  • AI Validation — Claude AI reviews ambiguous results to eliminate false positives

Results are mapped to the Perceivable POUR principle and scored based on severity and frequency.

Industries Most Affected by WCAG 1.4.3

Healthcare & Pharma Media & Publishing

Other WCAG 2.1 AA Criteria

WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content Perceivable WCAG 1.3.1 Info and Relationships Perceivable WCAG 2.1.1 Keyboard Operable WCAG 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) Operable WCAG 3.1.1 Language of Page Understandable WCAG 3.3.1 Error Identification Understandable WCAG 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value Robust

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