RE: [EXTERNAL] Halo Text

It can be a technical pass, but my experience is that it can be a terrible user experience. I prefer to see the text against a rectangle of solid or translucent background colour.

Steve Green
Managing Director
Test Partners Ltd


From: Mark Magennis <Mark.Magennis@skillsoft.com>
Sent: 31 July 2025 17:29
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org
Subject: Re: [EXTERNAL] Halo Text

Yes, if either the white fill color contrasts sufficiently against the border or the border contrasts sufficiently against the background then you're okay. Then you'll only need to consider whether you're okay against another WCAG SC 1.4.5 Images of Text.
________________________________
From: Savage, Angela (ITS) <Angela.Savage@its.ny.gov<mailto:Angela.Savage@its.ny.gov>>
Sent: 31 July 2025 16:38
To: w3c-wai-ig@w3.org<mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org> <w3c-wai-ig@w3.org<mailto:w3c-wai-ig@w3.org>>
Cc: Moore, Francis (ITS-STATE EMPLOYEE) <Francis.Moore@its.ny.gov<mailto:Francis.Moore@its.ny.gov>>
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Halo Text

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Hello,



I have a question about putting text on an image.



If the color contrast of the text cannot be met with one color, is it ok to combine two colors together, using a halo around the label's text for it to be readable and pass color contrast ratios ?



For example: Use white text with a black halo (outline). The combined colors could meet ratios, where used alone they may not.



Image for reference:

[Map of counties in Minnesota. From top left to right; Sherburne, Isanti, Wright, McLeod, Carver, Hennepin, Anoka, Ram-sey, Scott, and Dakota. The county names are on a light blue back ground. The names are in a white color with a black "halo" outline.]



Thank you in advance for the help!





Angela Savage, IAAP-CPACC<https://www.credly.com/badges/e48156ec-cfc0-4887-b3f8-cbdd6f4457a3/public_url> (new window)