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Re: Placeholder text contrast

for

From: Jonathan Avila
Date: Mar 20, 2015 11:47AM

> If placeholder text is being used properly (input masks, giving examples,
etc) and visible form labels are present, does the placeholder text need to meet contrast ratios?

IMO if the information in the placeholder such as example or masks is not available elsewhere then contrast would be an issue. If that information is duplicated in the label then technically you would be fine -- but in general placeholders can be confusing unless you are very limited by space they may not be a good idea.

> Browser defaults appear to be 2.2:1 or so... Are people expected to override browser defaults?

IMO most people will not know how to.

> Our usability studies found that people thought that form fields were already filled out when placeholder text color met 4.5:1.

In general it may be best to avoid them if you can. Small screen sizes make this a challenge though.

-- 
Jonathan Avila 
Chief Accessibility Officer
SSB BART Group 
<EMAIL REMOVED>
Phone 703.637.8957  
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