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WCAG 2.2

WCAG guide

All 87 success criteria of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.2 – explained in plain words, with practical tips and the W3C’s original wording.

  • 31 × Level A
  • 24 × Level AA
  • 31 × Level AAA

The WCAG are organised into four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust. Below them sit guidelines and, finally, the testable success criteria. Every criterion has a conformance level: A is the baseline, AA the common standard and AAA the highest level.

Under the European Accessibility Act, level AA is what counts in practice – via the harmonised standard EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1. The criteria added in WCAG 2.2 are still worth meeting: they make your product future-proof.

Filter the list by principle or level, or jump straight to a criterion.

Perceivable

1.1.1 Level A

Non-text Content

When images need words.

 1.2.1 Level A

Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

When podcasts and silent videos need a second form.

 1.2.2 Level A

Captions (Prerecorded)

When videos need to make sense without sound.

 1.2.3 Level A

Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

When videos need a second narrative track.

 1.2.4 Level AA

Captions (Live)

When real time has to work for everyone.

 1.2.5 Level AA

Audio Description (Prerecorded)

When pictures can’t speak for themselves.

 1.2.6 Level AAA

Sign Language (Prerecorded)

When hands speak and faces tell the story.

 1.2.7 Level AAA

Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)

When standard descriptions aren’t enough.

 1.2.8 Level AAA

Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

When text has to carry the whole media experience.

 1.2.9 Level AAA

Audio-only (Live)

When the mic goes live, the words have to flow too.

 1.3.1 Level A

Info and Relationships

When the code tells what the eye sees.

 1.3.2 Level A

Meaningful Sequence

When the order has to make sense.

 1.3.3 Level A

Sensory Characteristics

When words say more than shapes.

 1.3.4 Level AA

Orientation

Why your content has to stay flexible.

 1.3.5 Level AA

Identify Input Purpose

When forms think along with you.

 1.3.6 Level AAA

Identify Purpose

When the interface becomes a personal assistant.

 1.4.1 Level A

Use of Color

When red and green aren’t enough.

 1.4.2 Level A

Audio Control

When autoplay becomes a nuisance.

 1.4.3 Level AA

Contrast (Minimum)

When text and background get along.

 1.4.4 Level AA

Resize Text

When small is too small.

 1.4.5 Level AA

Images of Text

Why real words beat pictures of text.

 1.4.6 Level AAA

Contrast (Enhanced)

When good contrast isn’t enough.

 1.4.7 Level AAA

Low or No Background Audio

When words get lost in the noise.

 1.4.8 Level AAA

Visual Presentation

When text finally becomes flexible.

 1.4.9 Level AAA

Images of Text (No Exception)

When design wins over accessibility.

 1.4.10 Level AA

Reflow

When content flows instead of breaking.

 1.4.11 Level AA

Non-text Contrast

When graphics need to speak up too.

 1.4.12 Level AA

Text Spacing

When words need room to breathe.

 1.4.13 Level AA

Content on Hover or Focus

When content learns to float.

Operable

2.1.1 Level A

Keyboard

When every click can also be a keystroke.

 2.1.2 Level A

No Keyboard Trap

When there’s no way out.

 2.1.3 Level AAA

Keyboard (No Exception)

When everything really has to work by keyboard.

 2.1.4 Level A

Character Key Shortcuts

When single keys become a problem.

 2.2.1 Level A

Timing Adjustable

When time becomes a luxury.

 2.2.2 Level A

Pause, Stop, Hide

When motion becomes a distraction.

 2.2.3 Level AAA

No Timing

When time doesn’t matter.

 2.2.4 Level AAA

Interruptions

When the web needs to give you some peace.

 2.2.5 Level AAA

Re-authenticating

When time runs out, progress has to stay.

 2.2.6 Level AAA

Timeouts

When time becomes the enemy.

 2.3.1 Level A

Three Flashes or Below Threshold

When light becomes dangerous.

 2.3.2 Level AAA

Three Flashes

Zero tolerance for flashing.

 2.3.3 Level AAA

Animation from Interactions

When motion makes you sick.

 2.4.1 Level A

Bypass Blocks

When navigation turns into an odyssey.

 2.4.2 Level A

Page Titled

When page titles finally make sense.

 2.4.3 Level A

Focus Order

When keyboard navigation should make sense.

 2.4.4 Level A

Link Purpose (In Context)

When every link knows where it’s going.

 2.4.5 Level AA

Multiple Ways

When all roads lead to Rome.

 2.4.6 Level AA

Headings and Labels

Orientation through clear descriptions.

 2.4.7 Level AA

Focus Visible

When focus goes wandering.

 2.4.8 Level AAA

Location

So nobody loses their bearings.

 2.4.9 Level AAA

Link Purpose (Link Only)

When links have to speak for themselves.

 2.4.10 Level AAA

Section Headings

When structure becomes visible.

 2.4.11 Level AA

Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)

When focus must not disappear.

 2.4.12 Level AAA

Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)

When focus is hiding in plain sight.

 2.4.13 Level AAA

Focus Appearance

When focus needs to stand out.

 2.5.1 Level A

Pointer Gestures

One finger is enough – complex gestures are optional.

 2.5.2 Level A

Pointer Cancellation

When accidental clicks can be taken back.

 2.5.3 Level A

Label in Name

When what you see matches what you say.

 2.5.4 Level A

Motion Actuation

When shaking doesn’t work for everyone.

 2.5.5 Level AAA

Target Size (Enhanced)

When every click has to land.

 2.5.6 Level AAA

Concurrent Input Mechanisms

Flexibility in how you interact.

 2.5.7 Level AA

Dragging Movements

When dragging becomes a barrier.

 2.5.8 Level AA

Target Size (Minimum)

When small buttons become a big problem.

Understandable

3.1.1 Level A

Language of Page

So screen readers find the right voice.

 3.1.2 Level AA

Language of Parts

When websites become multilingual.

 3.1.3 Level AAA

Unusual Words

When jargon becomes a barrier.

 3.1.4 Level AAA

Abbreviations

When shorthand needs spelling out.

 3.1.5 Level AAA

Reading Level

When text gets too complex, offer alternatives.

 3.1.6 Level AAA

Pronunciation

When words have more than one face.

 3.2.1 Level A

On Focus

When focus jumps the gun.

 3.2.2 Level A

On Input

When forms become unpredictable.

 3.2.3 Level AA

Consistent Navigation

How to bring order to digital chaos.

 3.2.4 Level AA

Consistent Identification

Same function, same name.

 3.2.5 Level AAA

Change on Request

When websites only act on your command.

 3.2.6 Level A

Consistent Help

When support becomes a reliable companion.

 3.3.1 Level A

Error Identification

When the form tells you what went wrong.

 3.3.2 Level A

Labels or Instructions

When forms learn to talk.

 3.3.3 Level AA

Error Suggestion

When “Invalid” isn’t enough.

 3.3.4 Level AA

Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)

When mistakes can get expensive.

 3.3.5 Level AAA

Help

When nobody is left on their own.

 3.3.6 Level AAA

Error Prevention (All)

A safety net for every form.

 3.3.7 Level A

Redundant Entry

Don’t ask twice – forms that think ahead.

 3.3.8 Level AA

Accessible Authentication (Minimum)

When logging in isn’t a memory test.

 3.3.9 Level AAA

Accessible Authentication (Enhanced)

When logging in is child’s play.