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WCAG 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast

Non-text elements that convey information, such as icons, form field borders, focus indicators and chart lines, need at least 3:1 contrast against adjacent colors.

1.4.11 Level AA Added in WCAG 2.1 Needs manual review

Anton StewartAuthor
Reviewed against the W3C Understanding document
Illustration: a high contrast symbol, with WCAG 1.4.11 and Non-text Contrast
Table of contents

What WCAG 1.4.11 Requires

Non-text elements that convey information, such as icons, form field borders, focus indicators and chart lines, need at least 3:1 contrast against adjacent colors.

How to Test It by Hand

Sample the colors of icons, input borders and focus outlines against their background and check the ratio is at least 3:1.

Check any text and background pair with our free WCAG color contrast checker.

Common Failures

  • A light gray input border is nearly invisible against a white background.
  • A focus outline uses a color too close to the background to be seen.

Testing WCAG 1.4.11 With AccessBell

This criterion depends on meaning or context, so it needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it is not missed.

Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WCAG 1.4.11 require?

Non-text elements that convey information, such as icons, form field borders, focus indicators and chart lines, need at least 3:1 contrast against adjacent colors.

Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.4.11 automatically?

Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.

What level is WCAG 1.4.11?

Level AA, added in WCAG 2.1. Level AA is the level referenced by the ADA, Section 508 and most accessibility laws.

Sources

This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.

About the Author

Anton StewartAuthor

Contributor, AccessBell

Anton Stewart writes and reviews accessibility guides for the AccessBell blog, checked against the W3C standards and other primary sources.

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