diff --git a/packages/calcite-components/src/components/tab-title/tab-title.scss b/packages/calcite-components/src/components/tab-title/tab-title.scss
index ac336a6621f..8968cad64d0 100644
--- a/packages/calcite-components/src/components/tab-title/tab-title.scss
+++ b/packages/calcite-components/src/components/tab-title/tab-title.scss
@@ -292,4 +292,9 @@
   :host([bordered][position="bottom"][selected]) .container {
     border-block-start-style: none;
   }
+
+  .close-button {
+    /* in high contrast the tab title outline covers the close button outline without a z-index */
+    @apply z-default;
+  }
 }