Return to list of success criteria

1.4.1 Use of Color [Level A]

Description

Use of Color:

1.4.1 Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element. (Level A)Understanding Success Criterion 1.4.1

Note: This success criterion addresses color perception specifically. Other forms of perception are covered in Guideline 1.3 including programmatic access to color and other visual presentation coding.

Back to top

Sufficent Techniques

Sufficient Techniques for 1.4.1 - Use of Color

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion.

Situation A: If the color of particular words, backgrounds, or other content is used to indicate information:

  1. G14: Ensuring that information conveyed by color differences is also available in text

  2. G205: Including a text cue for colored form control labels

  3. G182: Ensuring that additional visual cues are available when text color differences are used to convey information

  4. G183: Using a contrast ratio of 3:1 with surrounding text and providing additional visual cues on focus for links or controls where color alone is used to identify them

Situation B: If color is used within an image to convey information:

  1. G111: Using color and pattern

  2. G14: Ensuring that information conveyed by color differences is also available in text

Advisory Techniques

Advisory Techniques for 1.4.1 - Use of Color

Back to top

Failures

Failures for SC 1.4.1 - Use of Color

Back to top

Notes

Back to top