WCAG 2.3.2 Three Flashes
AAA only: content does not flash more than three times per second at all, with no exception for low-area flashes.
Table of contents
What WCAG 2.3.2 Requires
AAA only: content does not flash more than three times per second at all, with no exception for low-area flashes.
How to Test It by Hand
Confirm no content flashes more than three times per second, regardless of size or contrast.
Common Failures
- A strobe-style animation effect is used for visual emphasis.
Testing WCAG 2.3.2 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.
Related Criteria in Seizures and Physical Reactions
- 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold (Level A, WCAG 2.0)
- 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions (Level AAA, WCAG 2.1)
Frequently Asked Questions
What does WCAG 2.3.2 require?
AAA only: content does not flash more than three times per second at all, with no exception for low-area flashes.
Can AccessBell test WCAG 2.3.2 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 2.3.2?
Level AAA, added in WCAG 2.0. Level AAA is the highest, most demanding conformance level in WCAG.
Sources
- W3C: Understanding 2.3.2 Three Flashes (opens in a new tab)
- W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 (opens in a new tab)
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