About this library
The W3C's WCAG 2.2 has 86 success criteria (87 counting 4.1.1 Parsing, which WCAG 2.2 removed). They are grouped under four principles, known by the acronym POUR: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable and Robust, and three conformance levels, A, AA and AAA. Most legal standards, including the ADA, Section 508 and the European Accessibility Act, point to Level AA. 25 of the 86 criteria have at least one axe-core rule that can catch a failure automatically; the rest need a person to judge, and every page here says which is which.
Looking for a scan instead of a reference page? Run the free checker built for the standard you need: WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, Section 508 Checker, EN 301 549 Checker.
The POUR Principles of WCAG
POUR stands for the four principles every WCAG success criterion sits under. If content fails any one of them, some people cannot use it at all. The W3C explains them in its accessibility principles overview.
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Perceivable
People must be able to perceive the information and interface, whatever senses they use: text alternatives for images, captions for video, enough contrast and content that adapts.
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Operable
People must be able to use every control and navigate the page, including with a keyboard alone, with enough time and without content that can cause seizures.
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Understandable
Content and controls must be clear and predictable: readable text, consistent navigation, and forms that help people avoid and fix mistakes.
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Robust
Content must work reliably with browsers and assistive technologies, now and as they change, which mostly means correct names, roles and states in the code.
WCAG Codes Explained: Plain-English Guides
Longer guides to individual success criteria, with illustrations, code examples and step-by-step tests.
- 1.1.1 Non-text Content
- 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
- 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)
- 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
- 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)
- 1.3.1 Info and Relationships
- 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
- 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics
- 1.4.1 Use of Color
- 1.4.2 Audio Control
- 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
- 1.4.8 Visual Presentation
- 2.1.1 Keyboard
- 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap
- 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts
- 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
- 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide
- 2.2.3 No Timing
- 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold
- 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
- 2.4.2 Page Titled
- 2.4.3 Focus Order
- 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)
- 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)
- 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures
- 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation
- 2.5.3 Label in Name
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
- 3.1.1 Language of Page
- 3.2.2 On Input
- 3.3.1 Error Identification
- 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
- 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
- 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced)
- 4.1.1 Parsing
- 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value
- 4.1.3 Status Messages
Success criteria by principle
Perceivable 29 criteria, 10 automated
| Success criterion | Level | Added in | How it is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Non-text Content | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded) | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded) | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.4 Captions (Live) | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded) | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.3.1 Info and Relationships | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.3.3 Sensory Characteristics | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.3.4 Orientation | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Automated |
| 1.3.6 Identify Purpose | AAA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 1.4.1 Use of Color | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.4.2 Audio Control | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.4.4 Resize Text | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.4.5 Images of Text | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.4.8 Visual Presentation | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 1.4.10 Reflow | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 1.4.12 Text Spacing | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Automated |
| 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
Operable 34 criteria, 10 automated
| Success criterion | Level | Added in | How it is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.1.1 Keyboard | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts | A | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.2.3 No Timing | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.2.4 Interruptions | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.2.5 Re-authenticating | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.2.6 Timeouts | AAA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.3.2 Three Flashes | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions | AAA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.4.2 Page Titled | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.4.3 Focus Order | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context) | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.4.5 Multiple Ways | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.6 Headings and Labels | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.7 Focus Visible | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.8 Location | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 2.4.10 Section Headings | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum) | AA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 2.4.12 Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced) | AAA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 2.4.13 Focus Appearance | AAA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 2.5.1 Pointer Gestures | A | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation | A | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.3 Label in Name | A | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.4 Motion Actuation | A | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.5 Target Size (Enhanced) | AAA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.6 Concurrent Input Mechanisms | AAA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |
| 2.5.7 Dragging Movements | AA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) | AA | WCAG 2.2 | Automated |
Understandable 21 criteria, 4 automated
| Success criterion | Level | Added in | How it is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1.1 Language of Page | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 3.1.2 Language of Parts | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 3.1.3 Unusual Words | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.1.4 Abbreviations | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.1.5 Reading Level | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.1.6 Pronunciation | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.2.1 On Focus | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.2.2 On Input | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.2.4 Consistent Identification | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.2.5 Change on Request | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 3.2.6 Consistent Help | A | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 3.3.1 Error Identification | A | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 3.3.3 Error Suggestion | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data) | AA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.3.5 Help | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.3.6 Error Prevention (All) | AAA | WCAG 2.0 | Manual review |
| 3.3.7 Redundant Entry | A | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum) | AA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
| 3.3.9 Accessible Authentication (Enhanced) | AAA | WCAG 2.2 | Manual review |
Robust 2 criteria, 1 automated
| Success criterion | Level | Added in | How it is tested |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value | A | WCAG 2.0 | Automated |
| 4.1.3 Status Messages | AA | WCAG 2.1 | Manual review |