1.4.1: Use of Color

What it means

Do not use colour alone to convey information, indicate an action, or distinguish something important. Add text, patterns, icons with labels, or other visual cues.

Colour-blind users and greyscale prints may miss meaning carried only by hue.

How to fix it

• Pair colour with text, icons, underlines, or patterns (for example required fields marked with * and “Required”).
• On charts, use different line styles or labels in addition to colour.
• For form errors, show a message and an icon — not only a red border.
• Check designs in greyscale to see if meaning still comes through.

Quick examples

• Good: Invalid fields show red borders plus an error message and warning icon.
• Bad: Required fields are only shown with a red outline and no other cue.
• Good: A line chart uses solid and dashed lines with a text legend.
• Bad: Status is green versus red dots with no labels in a project dashboard.