In plain English
This is the stronger version of the everyday contrast rule. The AA rule (1.4.3) asks for 4.5:1 between text and its background. This AAA rule asks for 7:1, a bigger gap that stays readable for people with more significant low vision.
You do not have to meet AAA to be considered compliant in the usual legal sense, that bar is AA. But if you can hit 7:1 without hurting your design, it is a genuine kindness to low-vision shoppers and gives you breathing room.
Who this is for
- People with low vision who find 4.5:1 readable but tiring over a long page.
- Older shoppers, whose contrast sensitivity declines with age.
- Everyone reading on a phone in bright sunlight.
How to check and fix it yourself
Run your body text and background colours through a contrast checker and aim for 7:1 (4.5:1 for large headings). The usual culprits are grey-on-white body text and low-contrast brand colours used for reading.
#333 on #fff → about 12.6:1 ✓ clears 7:1
#767676 on #fff → about 4.5:1 ✗ meets AA, misses AAA
#949494 on #fff → about 3:1 ✗ fails bothWhere we can help
We measure contrast across your real templates and tell you where you sit against both the AA (4.5:1) and AAA (7:1) thresholds, so you can decide how far to push it. Contrast is one of the most common findings in a self-check.