color
GUIDELINES 1.4.1
Overview
Color focuses on providing users with other visual means besides color, so that everyone can access information that is presented to them. It is important that the colors we choose are visible, even by those with color deficiencies. This guideline goes over how to create a page with this in mind, as well as gives insights on how, when. and why color selection is important.
Who is impacted?
Users who are color blind, have low vision conditions, or who are visually impaired are primarily impacted.
How to test?
Input the website’s color codes that are to be checked into online color checkers. The colors should have a contrast ratio of >3:1 to ensure that text is still readable.
Resources
Usage
Color is considered to be an important asset in design. It can enhance a webpages aesthetic appeal, usability, and accessibility.
If, however, content relies on a user to accurately perceive or differentiate a color, a visual indicator will be required, regardless of the contrast ratio. Providing information with color through other visual means ensures users who cannot see color can still perceive information.
An example of this can be text that states “error here” on top of forms and other elements where users are required to fill out information on the web page that they may have missed or have an error on.
When using colors, as long as the difference in their relative luminance leads to a contrast ratio of 3:1 or greater, then content can be conveyed through the use of those colors. You can learn more about contrast information on our Contrast page.