What WCAG 1.4.4 Requires
Text must be resizable up to 200% using the browser's zoom without losing content or functionality, so people with low vision can read it at a comfortable size.
Can AccessBell Test This Automatically?
Yes. AccessBell's scanner runs axe-core, which includes 1 rule that catch code-level failures of this criterion:
meta-viewport— Ensure <meta name="viewport"> does not disable text scaling and zooming (details (opens in a new tab))
This criterion is included in: WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, Section 508 Checker, EN 301 549 Checker.
How to Test It by Hand
Zoom the browser to 200% and check that no text is clipped, overlapping or cut off, and every control still works.
Common Failures
- Fixed-height containers clip text when the browser is zoomed.
- Text is set in pixel units inside a container that does not grow, so it overflows and hides content.
Example Fix
- Allow pinch zoom. Remove maximum-scale=1 and user-scalable=no from the viewport meta tag.
<!-- Correct -->
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">Related Criteria in Distinguishable
WCAG 1.4.4 Questions
What does WCAG 1.4.4 require?
Text must be resizable up to 200% using the browser's zoom without losing content or functionality, so people with low vision can read it at a comfortable size.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.4.4 automatically?
Yes. AccessBell runs 1 automated rule that can catch failures of this criterion, including in our WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, Section 508 Checker, EN 301 549 Checker.
What level is WCAG 1.4.4?
Level AA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AA is required to meet WCAG AA, the level referenced by the ADA, Section 508 and most accessibility laws.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 1.4.4 Resize Text (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
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