WCAG 2.1 Quick Reference

All success criteria at a glance with descriptions

50 criteria | Level A: 30 Level AA: 20

1.1.1 Level A Perceivable

Non-text Content

All non-text content has a text alternative that serves the equivalent purpose.

1.2.1 Level A Perceivable

Audio-only and Video-only

Alternatives are provided for prerecorded audio-only and video-only content.

1.2.2 Level A Perceivable

Captions (Prerecorded)

Captions are provided for all prerecorded audio content in synchronized media.

1.2.3 Level A Perceivable

Audio Description or Media Alternative

An alternative for time-based media or audio description is provided.

1.2.4 Level AA Perceivable

Captions (Live)

Captions are provided for all live audio content in synchronized media.

1.2.5 Level AA Perceivable

Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Audio description is provided for all prerecorded video content.

1.3.1 Level A Perceivable

Info and Relationships

Information, structure, and relationships conveyed through presentation can be programmatically determined.

1.3.2 Level A Perceivable

Meaningful Sequence

When the sequence affects meaning, a correct reading sequence can be programmatically determined.

1.3.3 Level A Perceivable

Sensory Characteristics

Instructions do not rely solely on sensory characteristics like shape, color, size, or sound.

1.3.4 Level AA Perceivable

Orientation

Content does not restrict its view and operation to a single display orientation.

1.3.5 Level AA Perceivable

Identify Input Purpose

The purpose of each input field can be programmatically determined.

1.4.1 Level A Perceivable

Use of Color

Color is not used as the only visual means of conveying information.

1.4.2 Level A Perceivable

Audio Control

If audio plays automatically, there is a mechanism to pause, stop, or control volume.

1.4.3 Level AA Perceivable

Contrast (Minimum)

Text has a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text).

1.4.4 Level AA Perceivable

Resize Text

Text can be resized up to 200% without loss of content or functionality.

1.4.5 Level AA Perceivable

Images of Text

If the technologies can achieve the visual presentation, text is used instead of images of text.

1.4.10 Level AA Perceivable

Reflow

Content can be presented without loss of information or functionality at 320px wide.

1.4.11 Level AA Perceivable

Non-text Contrast

UI components and graphical objects have a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.

1.4.12 Level AA Perceivable

Text Spacing

No loss of content or functionality occurs when adjusting text spacing properties.

1.4.13 Level AA Perceivable

Content on Hover or Focus

Additional content triggered by hover or focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.

2.1.1 Level A Operable

Keyboard

All functionality is available from a keyboard.

2.1.2 Level A Operable

No Keyboard Trap

Keyboard focus can be moved away from any component using only a keyboard.

2.1.4 Level A Operable

Character Key Shortcuts

If a keyboard shortcut uses only letters, it can be turned off or remapped.

2.2.1 Level A Operable

Timing Adjustable

Time limits can be turned off, adjusted, or extended.

2.2.2 Level A Operable

Pause, Stop, Hide

Moving, blinking, or auto-updating content can be paused, stopped, or hidden.

2.3.1 Level A Operable

Three Flashes or Below

Web pages do not contain anything that flashes more than three times per second.

2.4.1 Level A Operable

Bypass Blocks

A mechanism is available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated.

2.4.2 Level A Operable

Page Titled

Web pages have titles that describe topic or purpose.

2.4.3 Level A Operable

Focus Order

If a page can be navigated sequentially, focusable components receive focus in an order that preserves meaning.

2.4.4 Level A Operable

Link Purpose (In Context)

The purpose of each link can be determined from the link text alone or from the link text together with its context.

2.4.5 Level AA Operable

Multiple Ways

More than one way is available to locate a web page within a set of web pages.

2.4.6 Level AA Operable

Headings and Labels

Headings and labels describe topic or purpose.

2.4.7 Level AA Operable

Focus Visible

Any keyboard operable user interface has a mode of operation where the keyboard focus indicator is visible.

2.5.1 Level A Operable

Pointer Gestures

All functionality that uses multipoint or path-based gestures can be operated with a single pointer.

2.5.2 Level A Operable

Pointer Cancellation

For functionality that can be operated using a single pointer, completion is on the up-event.

2.5.3 Level A Operable

Label in Name

For UI components with labels that include text or images of text, the name contains the text that is presented visually.

2.5.4 Level A Operable

Motion Actuation

Functionality that can be operated by device motion can also be operated by user interface components.

3.1.1 Level A Understandable

Language of Page

The default human language of each web page can be programmatically determined.

3.1.2 Level AA Understandable

Language of Parts

The human language of each passage or phrase in the content can be programmatically determined.

3.2.1 Level A Understandable

On Focus

When any component receives focus, it does not initiate a change of context.

3.2.2 Level A Understandable

On Input

Changing the setting of any user interface component does not automatically cause a change of context unless the user has been advised.

3.2.3 Level AA Understandable

Consistent Navigation

Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple web pages occur in the same relative order.

3.2.4 Level AA Understandable

Consistent Identification

Components that have the same functionality within a set of web pages are identified consistently.

3.3.1 Level A Understandable

Error Identification

If an input error is automatically detected, the item in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text.

3.3.2 Level A Understandable

Labels or Instructions

Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.

3.3.3 Level AA Understandable

Error Suggestion

If an input error is detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user.

3.3.4 Level AA Understandable

Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)

For web pages that cause legal commitments or financial transactions, submissions are reversible, checked, or confirmed.

4.1.1 Level A Robust

Parsing

In content implemented using markup languages, elements have complete start and end tags, are nested according to their specifications, and do not contain duplicate attributes.

4.1.2 Level A Robust

Name, Role, Value

For all user interface components, the name and role can be programmatically determined.

4.1.3 Level AA Robust

Status Messages

Status messages can be programmatically determined through role or properties without receiving focus.

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