How to fix color contrast on BigCommerce

Steps for BigCommerce

1. Go to Storefront → Themes → click Customize on your active theme to open Page Builder.
2. In Theme Styles (gear icon) look for Typography or Colors sections. Adjust the relevant color swatch (e.g. link color, button text) to a shade with ≥ 4.5:1 contrast.
3. If the color isn't in Theme Styles, click Advanced → Edit Theme Files, navigate to assets/scss/settings/ or assets/scss/theme.scss, find the failing color variable (e.g. $color-primary), and change it to a darker passing value.
4. Save and publish, then re-run an accessibility audit to confirm.

/* BEFORE — fails WCAG 4.5:1 on white background */
a, .link-color {
  color: #007fbf; /* contrast ratio ~4.38:1 on #ffffff */
}

/* AFTER — passes WCAG 4.5:1 on white background */
a, .link-color {
  color: #006699; /* contrast ratio ~5.06:1 on #ffffff ✓ */
}

/* Tip: use a CSS custom property so one change fixes every instance */
:root {
  --color-link: #006699;
}
a, .link-color {
  color: var(--color-link);
}

What is color contrast?

Color contrast is the difference in brightness between the color of your text and the color of the background behind it. Web accessibility guidelines (WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 1.4.3) require that normal-sized text achieve a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, and large text (18pt/24px or 14pt/18.67px bold) at least 3:1. A ratio of 4.38:1 — like a medium blue (#007fbf) on white (#ffffff) — falls just short of the normal-text threshold. The fix is simply choosing a slightly darker (or lighter) version of the color so the ratio clears 4.5:1.

Roughly 1 in 12 men and 1 in 200 women have some form of color vision deficiency, and millions more have low vision or read in poor lighting conditions. Text that fails the contrast threshold is genuinely hard to read for these shoppers, directly reducing conversions and increasing bounce rates. Legally, WCAG 2.1 Level AA is the standard referenced in ADA, Section 508 (US), EN 301 549 (EU), and equivalent laws worldwide — failing it exposes your store to demand letters, complaints, and lawsuits. Search engines also reward accessible, readable pages, so fixing contrast can have a small positive effect on rankings.

See the complete Color contrast guide for every platform and the full background.