Principle 1 – Perceivable

Information and user interface components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

Guideline 1.1 – Text Alternatives

Provide text alternatives for any non-text content so that it can be changed into other forms people need, such as large print, braille, speech, symbols or simpler language.

1.1.1 Non-text Content

Level A

All non-text content that is presented to the user has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose, except for the situations listed below.


  • Controls, Input: If non-text content is a control or accepts user input, then it has a name that describes its purpose. (Refer to Success Criterion 4.1.2 for additional requirements for controls and content that accepts user input.)

  • Time-Based Media: If non-text content is time-based media, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content. (Refer to Guideline 1.2 for additional requirements for media.)

  • Test: If non-text content is a test or exercise that would be invalid if presented in text, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

  • Sensory: If non-text content is primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience, then text alternatives at least provide descriptive identification of the non-text content.

  • CAPTCHA: If the purpose of non-text content is to confirm that content is being accessed by a person rather than a computer, then text alternatives that identify and describe the purpose of the non-text content are provided, and alternative forms of CAPTCHA using output modes for different types of sensory perception are provided to accommodate different disabilities.

  • Decoration, Formatting, Invisible: If non-text content is pure decoration, is used only for visual formatting, or is not presented to users, then it is implemented in a way that it can be ignored by assistive technology.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.1.1

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Situation D: If non-text content is time-based media (including live video-only and live audio-only); a test or exercise that would be invalid if presented in text; or primarily intended to create a specific sensory experience:
Situation F: If the non-text content should be ignored by assistive technology:

Guideline 1.2 – Time-based Media

Provide alternatives for time-based media.

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

Level A

For prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only media, the following are true, except when the audio or video is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such:


  • Prerecorded Audio-only: An alternative for time-based media is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded audio-only content.

  • Prerecorded Video-only: Either an alternative for time-based media or an audio track is provided that presents equivalent information for prerecorded video-only content.

1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)

Level A

Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.

1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

Level A

An alternative for time-based media or audio description of the prerecorded video content is provided for synchronized media, except when the media is a media alternative for text and is clearly labeled as such.

1.2.4 Captions (Live)

Level AA

Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.

1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Level AA

Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.

1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded)

Level AAA

Sign language interpretation is provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.

1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Level AAA

Where pauses in foreground audio are insufficient to allow audio descriptions to convey the sense of the video, extended audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content in synchronized media.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.2.7

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Advisory Techniques for Success Criterion 1.2.7

1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

Level AAA

An alternative for time-based media is provided for all prerecorded synchronized media and for all prerecorded video-only media.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.2.8

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Situation A: If the content is prerecorded synchronized media:
Situation B: If the content is prerecorded video-only:

1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)

Level AAA

An alternative for time-based media that presents equivalent information for live audio-only content is provided.

Guideline 1.3 – Adaptable

Create content that can be presented in different ways (for example simpler layout) without losing information or structure.

1.3.1 Info and Relationships

Level A

Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined or are available in text.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.3.1

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Situation A: The technology provides semantic structure to make information and relationships conveyed through presentation programmatically determinable:
Situation B: The technology in use does NOT provide the semantic structure to make the information and relationships conveyed through presentation programmatically determinable:

1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence

Level A

When the sequence in which content is presented affects its meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined.

1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics

Level A

Instructions provided for understanding and operating content do not rely solely on sensory characteristics of components such as shape, color, size, visual location, orientation, or sound.

Note 1: For requirements related to color, refer to Guideline 1.4.

Guideline 1.4 – Distinguishable

Make it easier for users to see and hear content including separating foreground from background.

1.4.1 Use of Color

Level A

Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information, indicating an action, prompting a response, or distinguishing a visual element.

Note 1: This success criterion addresses color perception specifically. Other forms of perception are covered in Guideline 1.3 including programmatic access to color and other visual presentation coding.

1.4.2 Audio Control

Level A

If any audio on a Web page plays automatically for more than 3 seconds, either a mechanism is available to pause or stop the audio, or a mechanism is available to control audio volume independently from the overall system volume level.

1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)

Level AA

The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1, except for the following:


  • Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1;

  • Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.

  • Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no contrast requirement.

1.4.4 Resize Text

Level AA

Except for captions and images of text, text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality.

1.4.5 Images of Text

Level AA

If the technologies being used can achieve the visual presentation, text is used to convey information rather than images of text except for the following:


  • Customizable: The image of text can be visually customized to the user's requirements;

  • Essential: A particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed.

1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)

Level AAA

The visual presentation of text and images of text has a contrast ratio of at least 7:1, except for the following:


  • Large Text: Large-scale text and images of large-scale text have a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1;

  • Incidental: Text or images of text that are part of an inactive user interface component, that are pure decoration, that are not visible to anyone, or that are part of a picture that contains significant other visual content, have no contrast requirement.

  • Logotypes: Text that is part of a logo or brand name has no contrast requirement.

1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio

Level AAA

For prerecorded audio-only content that (1) contains primarily speech in the foreground, (2) is not an audio CAPTCHA or audio logo, and (3) is not vocalization intended to be primarily musical expression such as singing or rapping, at least one of the following is true:


  • No Background: The audio does not contain background sounds.

  • Turn Off: The background sounds can be turned off.

  • 20 dB: The background sounds are at least 20 decibels lower than the foreground speech content, with the exception of occasional sounds that last for only one or two seconds. Per the definition of "decibel," background sound that meets this requirement will be approximately four times quieter than the foreground speech content.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.4.7

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

1.4.8 Visual Presentation

Level AAA

For the visual presentation of blocks of text, a mechanism is available to achieve the following:


  1. Foreground and background colors can be selected by the user.

  2. Width is no more than 80 characters or glyphs (40 if CJK).

  3. Text is not justified (aligned to both the left and the right margins).

  4. Line spacing (leading) is at least space-and-a-half within paragraphs, and paragraph spacing is at least 1.5 times larger than the line spacing.

  5. Text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent in a way that does not require the user to scroll horizontally to read a line of text on a full-screen window.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 1.4.8

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Third Requirement: Techniques to ensure text is not justified (aligned to both the left and the right margins)
Fourth Requirement: Techniques to ensure line spacing (leading) is at least space-and-a-half within paragraphs, and paragraph spacing is at least 1.5 times larger than the line spacing
Fifth Requirement: Techniques to ensure text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent in a way that does not require the user to scroll horizontally to read a line of text on a full-screen window

1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)

Level AAA

Images of text are only used for pure decoration or where a particular presentation of text is essential to the information being conveyed.

Note 1: Logotypes (text that is part of a logo or brand name) are considered essential.

Principle 2 – Operable

User interface components and navigation must be operable.

Guideline 2.1 – Keyboard Accessible

Make all functionality available from a keyboard.

2.1.1 Keyboard

Level A

All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes, except where the underlying function requires input that depends on the path of the user's movement and not just the endpoints.

Note 1: This exception relates to the underlying function, not the input technique. For example, if using handwriting to enter text, the input technique (handwriting) requires path-dependent input but the underlying function (text input) does not.

Note 2: This does not forbid and should not discourage providing mouse input or other input methods in addition to keyboard operation.

2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

Level A

If keyboard focus can be moved to a component of the page using a keyboard interface, then focus can be moved away from that component using only a keyboard interface, and, if it requires more than unmodified arrow or tab keys or other standard exit methods, the user is advised of the method for moving focus away.

Note 1: Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether it is used to meet other success criteria or not) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.1.2

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)

Level AAA

All functionality of the content is operable through a keyboard interface without requiring specific timings for individual keystrokes.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.1.3

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

  • No additional techniques exist for this Success Criterion. Follow techniques for Success Criterion 2.1.1. If that is not possible because there is a requirement for path-dependent input, then it is not possible to meet this Level AAA Success Criterion.

Guideline 2.2 – Enough Time

Provide users enough time to read and use content.

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

Level A

For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true:


  • Turn off: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or

  • Adjust: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or

  • Extend: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or

  • Real-time Exception: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or

  • Essential Exception: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or

  • 20 Hour Exception: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.

2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide

Level A

For moving, blinking, scrolling, or auto-updating information, all of the following are true:


  • Moving, blinking, scrolling: For any moving, blinking or scrolling information that (1) starts automatically, (2) lasts more than five seconds, and (3) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it unless the movement, blinking, or scrolling is part of an activity where it is essential; and

  • Auto-updating: For any auto-updating information that (1) starts automatically and (2) is presented in parallel with other content, there is a mechanism for the user to pause, stop, or hide it or to control the frequency of the update unless the auto-updating is part of an activity where it is essential.

2.2.3 No Timing

Level AAA

Timing is not an essential part of the event or activity presented by the content, except for non-interactive synchronized media and real-time events.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.2.3

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

2.2.4 Interruptions

Level AAA

Interruptions can be postponed or suppressed by the user, except interruptions involving an emergency.

2.2.5 Re-authenticating

Level AAA

When an authenticated session expires, the user can continue the activity without loss of data after re-authenticating.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.2.5

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Guideline 2.3 – Seizures and Physical Reactions

Do not design content in a way that is known to cause seizures or physical reactions.

2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Level A

Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period, or the flash is below the general flash and red flash thresholds.

Note 1: Since any content that does not meet this success criterion can interfere with a user's ability to use the whole page, all content on the Web page (whether it is used to meet other success criteria or not) must meet this success criterion. See Conformance Requirement 5: Non-Interference.

2.3.2 Three Flashes

Level AAA

Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times in any one second period.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.3.2

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Provide ways to help users navigate, find content, and determine where they are.

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

Level A

A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple Web pages.

2.4.2 Page Titled

Level A

Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose.

2.4.3 Focus Order

Level A

If a Web page can be navigated sequentially and the navigation sequences affect meaning or operation, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability.

2.4.5 Multiple Ways

Level AA

More than one way is available to locate a Web page within a set of Web pages except where the Web Page is the result of, or a step in, a process.

2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Level AA

Headings and labels describe topic or purpose.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.4.6

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

2.4.7 Focus Visible

Level AA

Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible.

2.4.8 Location

Level AAA

Information about the user's location within a set of Web pages is available.

2.4.10 Section Headings

Level AAA

Section headings are used to organize the content.

Note 1: "Heading" is used in its general sense and includes titles and other ways to add a heading to different types of content.

Note 2: This success criterion covers sections within writing, not user interface components. User Interface components are covered under Success Criterion 4.1.2.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 2.4.10

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Guideline 2.5 – Input Modalities

Make it easier for users to operate functionality through various inputs beyond keyboard.

Principle 3 – Understandable

Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.

Guideline 3.1 – Readable

Make text content readable and understandable.

3.1.1 Language of Page

Level A

The default human language of each Web page can be programmatically determined.

3.1.2 Language of Parts

Level AA

The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined except for proper names, technical terms, words of indeterminate language, and words or phrases that have become part of the vernacular of the immediately surrounding text.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 3.1.2

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

3.1.3 Unusual Words

Level AAA

A mechanism is available for identifying specific definitions of words or phrases used in an unusual or restricted way, including idioms and jargon.

3.1.4 Abbreviations

Level AAA

A mechanism for identifying the expanded form or meaning of abbreviations is available.

3.1.5 Reading Level

Level AAA

When text requires reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level after removal of proper names and titles, supplemental content, or a version that does not require reading ability more advanced than the lower secondary education level, is available.

3.1.6 Pronunciation

Level AAA

A mechanism is available for identifying specific pronunciation of words where meaning of the words, in context, is ambiguous without knowing the pronunciation.

Guideline 3.2 – Predictable

Make Web pages appear and operate in predictable ways.

3.2.1 On Focus

Level A

When any user interface component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 3.2.1

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

  • Note: A change of content is not always a change of context. This success criterion is automatically met if changes in content are not also changes of context.

3.2.2 On Input

Level A

Changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised of the behavior before using the component.

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

Level AA

Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user.

3.2.4 Consistent Identification

Level AA

Components that have the same functionality within a set of Web pages are identified consistently.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 3.2.4

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

  • Note 1: Text alternatives that are “consistent” are not always “identical.” For instance, you may have a graphical arrow at the bottom of a Web page that links to the next Web page. The text alternative may say “Go to page 4.” Naturally, it would not be appropriate to repeat this exact text alternative on the next Web page. It would be more appropriate to say “Go to page 5”. Although these text alternatives would not be identical, they would be consistent, and therefore would satisfy this Success Criterion.
  • Note 2: A single non-text-content-item may be used to serve different functions. In such cases, different text alternatives are necessary and should be used. Examples can be commonly found with the use of icons such as check marks, cross marks, and traffic signs. Their functions can be different depending on the context of the Web page. A check mark icon may function as “approved”, “completed”, or “included”, to name a few, depending on the situation. Using “check mark” as text alternative across all Web pages does not help users understand the function of the icon. Different text alternatives can be used when the same non-text content serves multiple functions.

3.2.5 Change on Request

Level AAA

Changes of context are initiated only by user request or a mechanism is available to turn off such changes.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 3.2.5

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Advisory Techniques for Success Criterion 3.2.5

Guideline 3.3 – Input Assistance

Help users avoid and correct mistakes.

3.3.1 Error Identification

Level A

If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.

3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

Level A

Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.

3.3.3 Error Suggestion

Level AA

If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user, unless it would jeopardize the security or purpose of the content.

3.3.5 Help

Level AAA

Context-sensitive help is available.

3.3.6 Error Prevention (All)

Level AAA

For Web pages that require the user to submit information, at least one of the following is true:


  • Reversible: Submissions are reversible.

  • Checked: Data entered by the user is checked for input errors and the user is provided an opportunity to correct them.

  • Confirmed: A mechanism is available for reviewing, confirming, and correcting information before finalizing the submission.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 3.3.6

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Failures for Success Criterion 3.3.6
  • Inconsistent Help Location

Principle 4 – Robust

Content must be robust enough that it can be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

Guideline 4.1 – Compatible

Maximize compatibility with current and future user agents, including assistive technologies.

4.1.1 Parsing

Level A

In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, elements are nested according to their specifications, elements do not contain duplicate attributes, and any IDs are unique, except where the specifications allow these features.

Note 1: This criterion has been removed from WCAG 2.2. In WCAG 2.1 and 2.0 this Success Criterion should be considered as always satisfied for any content using HTML or XML.

Note 2: Since this criterion was written, the HTML Standard has adopted specific requirements governing how user agents must handle incomplete tags, incorrect element nesting, duplicate attributes, and non-unique IDs.

Although the HTML Standard treats some of these cases as non-conforming for authors, it is considered to "allow these features" for the purposes of this Success Criterion because the specification requires that user agents support handling these cases consistently. In practice, this criterion no longer provides any benefit to people with disabilities in itself.

Issues such as missing roles due to inappropriately nested elements or incorrect states or names due to a duplicate ID are covered by different Success Criteria and should be reported under those criteria rather than as issues with 4.1.1.

4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

Level A

For all user interface components (including but not limited to: form elements, links and components generated by scripts), the name and role can be programmatically determined; states, properties, and values that can be set by the user can be programmatically set; and notification of changes to these items is available to user agents, including assistive technologies.

Note 1: This success criterion is primarily for Web authors who develop or script their own user interface components. For example, standard HTML controls already meet this success criterion when used according to specification.

Sufficient Techniques for Success Criterion 4.1.2

Note: Other techniques may also be sufficient if they meet the success criterion. See Understanding Techniques.

Situation B: If using script or code to re-purpose a standard user interface component in a markup language:

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