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Insufficient Color Ratio

Text and meaningful visual elements in Android apps must maintain sufficient contrast against their backgrounds for readability.

WCAG Reference

Maps to: WCAG 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | Applies to: WCAG 2.0, WCAG 2.1, WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.0 | Level: AA | Read the official specification →

What this rule checks​

The scanner measures the contrast ratio between foreground text or icon colors and their background, flagging pairs that fall below the 4.5:1 ratio for normal text or 3:1 for large text.

Why it matters​

Users with low vision, color-vision deficiencies, or those using devices in bright sunlight depend on adequate contrast to read text and distinguish UI elements. Low contrast makes content illegible.

Common failure patterns​

  • light gray text on white backgrounds in settings or list items
  • placeholder text in input fields with very low contrast
  • status indicators using pale colors on light backgrounds
  • disabled-state styling that falls below minimum ratios while the element remains interactive

Remediation guidance​

  • verify text contrast against backgrounds using a color contrast analyzer
  • use Material Design color tokens that are pre-validated for contrast compliance
  • ensure all text states (enabled, disabled, error, hint) meet minimum ratios
  • test on multiple devices and brightness levels to catch theme-specific failures
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