1.4.1: Use of Color [A]
Description
Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.
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.
Sufficient Techniques
Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.4.1
Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.
Situation A: If the color of particular words, backgrounds, or other content is used to indicate information:
- G14: Ensuring that information conveyed by color differences is also available in text
- G205: Including a text cue for colored form control labels
- G182: Ensuring that additional visual cues are available when text color differences are used to convey information
- G183: Using a contrast ratio of 3:1 with surrounding text and providing additional visual cues on hover for links or controls where color alone is used to identify them
Situation B: If color is used within an image to convey information:
Advisory Techniques
Advisory Techniques for Success Criterion 1.4.1
Failures
Failures for Success Criterion 1.4.1
- F13: Failure of Success Criterion 1.1.1 and 1.4.1 due to having a text alternative that does not include information that is conveyed by color differences in the image
- F73: Failure of Success Criterion 1.4.1 due to creating links that are not visually evident without color vision
- F81: Failure of Success Criterion 1.4.1 due to identifying required or error fields using color differences only