AccessBell
Dashboard Start free trial
Perceivable · Distinguishable

WCAG 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)

AAA only: images of text are not used at all, except for decoration or where a specific visual presentation (like a logo) is essential.

1.4.9 Level AAA Added in WCAG 2.0 Needs manual review

Anton StewartAuthor
Reviewed against the W3C Understanding document
Illustration: a high contrast symbol, with WCAG 1.4.9 and Images of Text
Table of contents

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.

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.

Testing WCAG 1.4.9 With AccessBell

This criterion depends on meaning or context, so it needs a person to judge. AccessBell's report lists it for manual review rather than marking it pass or fail automatically, so it is not missed.

Run a free scan to spot issues on your own pages.

Frequently Asked 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

This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our disclaimer.

About the Author

Anton StewartAuthor

Contributor, AccessBell

Anton Stewart writes and reviews accessibility guides for the AccessBell blog, checked against the W3C standards and other primary sources.

Check Your Site Against WCAG 1.4.9

Run a free scan to spot 1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception) issues and every other automated WCAG check, then get help fixing them.

Start 3-day free trial Run a free scan

Pro is a 3-day free trial, then $29 per domain per month or $199 per year. You add a card at checkout and are not charged until the trial ends. Cancel before then and you will not be charged.

Not ready for a subscription? A Page Report is $19 for one page, and a Domain Audit is $79 for up to 500 pages.