WCAG 1.4.4 Resize Text
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.
Table of contents
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.
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.
Testing WCAG 1.4.4 With AccessBell
AccessBell's scanner runs axe-core, which includes 1 rule that catch code-level failures of this criterion. Automated checks help you spot issues quickly; a person still needs to review what they cannot judge.
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.
Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.
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
- 1.4.1 Use of Color (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.2 Audio Control (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum) (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.5 Images of Text (Level AA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced) (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.8 Visual Presentation (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) (Level AAA, WCAG 2.0)
- 1.4.10 Reflow (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
- 1.4.11 Non-text Contrast (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
- 1.4.12 Text Spacing (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
- 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (Level AA, WCAG 2.1)
Frequently Asked 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. A person still needs to check what automation cannot judge.
What level is WCAG 1.4.4?
Level AA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AA is 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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