What WCAG 1.4.5 Requires
Use real text styled with CSS instead of an image of text wherever possible, since images of text cannot be resized, recolored or read aloud accurately.
Can AccessBell Test This Automatically?
Not fully. Like most WCAG criteria that depend on meaning or context, this one needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it never gets missed.
How to Test It by Hand
Look for headings, buttons or callouts that are actually images rather than styled text.
Common Failures
- A promotional banner is a single image containing the headline text, unreadable at high zoom and by screen readers.
Related Criteria in Distinguishable
WCAG 1.4.5 Questions
What does WCAG 1.4.5 require?
Use real text styled with CSS instead of an image of text wherever possible, since images of text cannot be resized, recolored or read aloud accurately.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.4.5 automatically?
Not fully. This criterion needs a person to judge, so AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail on its own.
What level is WCAG 1.4.5?
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 1.4.5 Images of Text (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.