Operable · Navigable 2.4.2 Page Titled
Every page needs a <title> that describes its topic or purpose, so visitors can tell pages apart in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results.
Level A · Added in WCAG 2.0 · 1 automated rule
What WCAG 2.4.2 Requires
Every page needs a <title> that describes its topic or purpose, so visitors can tell pages apart in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results.
How to Test It by Hand
Check the browser tab and page source for a <title> tag that is unique and descriptive for each page.
Common Failures
- Every page on the site shares the same generic title.
- A page has no <title> element at all.
Example Fix
- Add a title to every page. The title is the first thing a screen reader announces and what appears in browser tabs.
- Make each title unique. Put the specific page topic first and the site name last.
<head>
<title>Pricing - AccessBell</title>
</head>
WCAG 2.4.2 Questions
What does WCAG 2.4.2 require?
Every page needs a
that describes its topic or purpose, so visitors can tell pages apart in browser tabs, bookmarks and search results.</p></div> </details><details> <summary>Can AccessBell test WCAG 2.4.2 automatically?</summary> <div><p>Yes. AccessBell runs 1 automated rule that can catch failures of this criterion, including in our WCAG 2.2 AA Checker, WCAG 2.1 AA Checker, ADA Compliance Checker, Section 508 Checker, EN 301 549 Checker.</p></div> </details><details> <summary>What level is WCAG 2.4.2?</summary> <div><p>Level A, added in WCAG 2.0.</p></div> </details> </div> </section> <section aria-labelledby="sources" class="checker-sources"> <h2 id="sources">Sources</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/page-titled.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">W3C: Understanding 2.4.2 Page Titled<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in a new tab)</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">W3C: Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2<span class="visually-hidden"> (opens in a new tab)</span></a></li> </ul> <p class="muted">This page explains a technical standard and is not legal advice. See our <a href="/disclaimer">disclaimer</a>.</p> </section> </article> <section class="section-tight" aria-labelledby="cta-title"> <div class="container"> <div class="cta-band"> <h2 id="cta-title">Check Your Site Against WCAG 2.4.2</h2> <p>Run a free scan and see whether your pages pass 2.4.2 Page Titled, along with every other criterion in WCAG 2.2, 2.1 or 2.0.</p> <div class="cta-actions"> <a class="btn btn-accent btn-lg" href="/app/signup">Start 3-day free trial <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 24 24" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path d="M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6"/></svg></a> <a class="btn btn-outline btn-lg" href="/#scan">Run a free scan</a> </div> <p class="cta-note">Then $29/mo per domain. Cancel anytime.</p> </div> </div> </section> </main> <footer class="site-footer"> <div class="container"> <div class="footer-top"> <div> <a class="brand" href="/" aria-label="AccessBell home"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 32 32" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"> <rect width="32" height="32" rx="8" fill="#353A47"></rect> <path d="M16 5.5c-4.3 0-7.2 3.2-7.2 7.6v4.3L6.6 21v1.4h18.8V21l-2.2-3.6v-4.3c0-4.4-2.9-7.6-7.2-7.6Z" fill="#84B082"></path> <path d="m12.4 14.2 2.6 2.6 4.8-4.8" fill="none" stroke="#353A47" stroke-width="2.2" stroke-linecap="round" stroke-linejoin="round"></path> <circle cx="16" cy="25.2" r="2" fill="#84B082"></circle> </svg> <span>Access<span class="brand-bell">Bell</span></span> </a> <p class="footer-tagline">The website accessibility checker for teams that take WCAG, ADA and global compliance seriously.</p> </div> <nav class="footer-nav" aria-label="Footer"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li><li><a href="/about">About</a></li><li><a href="/methodology">Methodology</a></li><li><a href="/contact">Contact</a></li><li><a href="/resources">Resources</a></li><li><a href="/resources/help-center">Help Center</a></li><li><a href="/disclaimer">Disclaimer</a></li><li><a href="/privacy">Privacy</a></li><li><a href="/terms">Terms</a></li><li><a href="/sitemap">Sitemap</a></li><li><a href="/pricing">Pricing</a></li> </ul> </nav> </div> <div class="footer-bottom"> <p>© 2026 AccessBell. All rights reserved.</p> <ul class="social" aria-label="AccessBell on social media"> <li> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/accessbell" rel="me noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><rect x="3" y="3" width="18" height="18" rx="5" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><circle cx="12" cy="12" r="4" fill="none" stroke="currentColor" stroke-width="1.8"/><circle cx="17.3" cy="6.7" r="1.2" fill="currentColor"/></svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Instagram (opens in a new tab)</span> </a> </li><li> <a href="https://x.com/accessbell" rel="me noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path fill="currentColor" d="M17.8 3h3.1l-6.8 7.7L22 21h-6.2l-4.9-6.3L5.3 21H2.2l7.2-8.2L1.8 3h6.4l4.4 5.8Zm-1.1 16.2h1.7L7.4 4.7H5.6Z"/></svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Twitter (X) (opens in a new tab)</span> </a> </li><li> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/accessbell" rel="me noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> <svg viewBox="0 0 24 24" aria-hidden="true" focusable="false"><path fill="currentColor" d="M13.5 21v-7.5h2.6l.4-3h-3V8.6c0-.9.3-1.5 1.5-1.5h1.6V4.4c-.3 0-1.2-.1-2.3-.1-2.3 0-3.8 1.4-3.8 3.9v2.3H7.9v3h2.6V21Z"/></svg> <span class="visually-hidden">Facebook (opens in a new tab)</span> </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> </body> </html>