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

Related docs

• Android Rule Repository
• Accessibility Issue Remediation Guide