About this library
The W3C's WCAG 2.2 groups its 87 success criteria under four principles — 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 87 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.
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
- 1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)
- 1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
- 1.4.1 Use of Color
- 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
- 1.4.8 Visual Presentation
- 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide
- 2.2.3 No Timing
- 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)
- 3.2.2 On Input
- 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions
- 3.3.8 Accessible Authentication (Minimum)
- 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 |