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Operable · Keyboard Accessible

WCAG 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)

AAA only: the same as 2.1.1 keyboard accessibility, but with no exceptions at all, even for content that would require timed input.

2.1.3 Level AAA Added in WCAG 2.0 1 automated rule

Anton StewartAuthor
Reviewed against the W3C Understanding document
Illustration: a keyboard symbol, with WCAG 2.1.3 and Keyboard
Table of contents

What WCAG 2.1.3 Requires

AAA only: the same as 2.1.1 keyboard accessibility, but with no exceptions at all, even for content that would require timed input.

How to Test It by Hand

Confirm every single interaction on the page, including any timing-sensitive ones, works by keyboard alone.

Common Failures

  • A timed drag interaction has no keyboard alternative, even though a lower-level keyboard exception might otherwise apply.

Testing WCAG 2.1.3 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.

  • scrollable-region-focusable: Ensure elements that have scrollable content are accessible by keyboard in Safari (details)

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does WCAG 2.1.3 require?

AAA only: the same as 2.1.1 keyboard accessibility, but with no exceptions at all, even for content that would require timed input.

Can AccessBell test WCAG 2.1.3 automatically?

Yes. AccessBell runs 1 automated rule that can catch failures of this criterion. A person still needs to check what automation cannot judge.

What level is WCAG 2.1.3?

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.

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