Perceivable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 1.4.7: Low or No Background Audio
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
For prerecorded audio-only material that is primarily speech and falls within this criterion's scope, background sound must be absent, switchable off, or at least 20 decibels below the foreground speech, with limited exceptions.
A practical example
A spoken onboarding lesson has music underneath the narration. Supply a speech-only version or mix the music sufficiently below the voice so listeners can understand it without separating two competing sound streams.
How to check it
- Confirm that the recording is mainly speech and review the criterion's exclusions.
- Check for an accessible control or version that removes background sound.
- If relying on the level difference, have the audio measured and document the speech and background levels across the recording.
What can be missed
A quiet-sounding mix to one reviewer is not a documented 20-decibel difference. Brief occasional sounds and excluded content require their own scope assessment.
Record your test
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These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.