What WCAG 1.4.9 Requires
AAA only: images of text are not used at all, except for decoration or where a specific visual presentation (like a logo) is essential.
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
Search the page for any images that contain text serving a purpose beyond decoration or branding.
Common Failures
- A pricing table is rendered as an image instead of real, styled HTML text.
Related Criteria in Distinguishable
WCAG 1.4.9 Questions
What does WCAG 1.4.9 require?
AAA only: images of text are not used at all, except for decoration or where a specific visual presentation (like a logo) is essential.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 1.4.9 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 1.4.9?
Level AAA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AAA is the highest, most demanding conformance level in WCAG.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) (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.