1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)

What WCAG 1.4.6 Requires

AAA only: an enhanced contrast ratio of 7:1 for normal text and 4.5:1 for large text, higher than the AA minimum, for visitors who need stronger contrast.

Can AccessBell Test This Automatically?

Yes. AccessBell's scanner runs axe-core, which includes 1 rule that catch code-level failures of this criterion:

• color-contrast-enhanced — Ensure the contrast between foreground and background colors meets WCAG 2 AAA enhanced contrast ratio thresholds (details (opens in a new tab))

How to Test It by Hand

Run a contrast checker against the enhanced 7:1 / 4.5:1 thresholds instead of the standard AA ones.

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

Common Failures

• Text passes the standard 4.5:1 AA requirement but falls short of the stricter 7:1 AAA level.

Example Fix

1. Meet the minimum ratios. Body text needs 4.5:1 against its background. Large text (24px, or 19px bold) needs 3:1.
2. Fix the design tokens. Change the color variable in one place so every component that uses it is fixed together.
3. Check every state. Hover, focus, disabled-looking and placeholder text must also be readable.

/* Before: #9aa0a6 on white is 2.6:1 and fails */
.card-meta { color: #9aa0a6; }

/* After: #5b6170 on white is 6.2:1 and passes */
:root { --text-muted: #5b6170; }
.card-meta { color: var(--text-muted); }

/* Text over images: add a solid backing */
.hero-caption {
  color: #fff;
  background: rgb(0 0 0 / 0.7);
}

Related Criteria in Distinguishable

• 1.4.1 Use of ColorLevel A · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.2 Audio ControlLevel A · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)Level AA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.4 Resize TextLevel AA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.5 Images of TextLevel AA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.7 Low or No Background AudioLevel AAA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.8 Visual PresentationLevel AAA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)Level AAA · WCAG 2.0
• 1.4.10 ReflowLevel AA · WCAG 2.1
• 1.4.11 Non-text ContrastLevel AA · WCAG 2.1
• 1.4.12 Text SpacingLevel AA · WCAG 2.1
• 1.4.13 Content on Hover or FocusLevel AA · WCAG 2.1

WCAG 1.4.6 Questions