--- title: "Resize Text" url: "https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-4-4-resize-text" language: "en" description: "WCAG 1.4.4 requires that text can be resized to 200% without assistive technology and without losing content. Learn how to build zoom-proof layouts." published: "2025-01-01T08:00:00+01:00" updated: "2026-10-15T09:41:59+02:00" --- # Resize Text When small is too small. - **Erfolgskriterium:** 1.4.4 - **Prinzip:** Perceivable - **Konformitätsstufe:** Level AA - **Erklärung beim W3C:** [www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/resi...](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/resize-text.html) Success criterion 1.4.4 # 1.4.4 Resize Text Level AAPerceivable When small is too small. ## 1. What is the goal of this criterion? Imagine sitting in a restaurant trying to read the menu – but the print is so tiny you have to squint as if you were looking into the sun. That’s how many people feel on the web when text is too small. People with low vision, older people, or simply anyone who is tired or using a small display often need larger text to read comfortably. So the goal of Success Criterion 1.4.4 is clear: text must be resizable to 200% of its original size without special assistive technology – without losing any content or functionality. In short: what’s small to read must be able to become large. ## 2. What exactly does it require? This AA criterion is very concrete: **Text must be resizable up to 200% without assistive technology**, without loss of content or functionality. This means: - All text – including labels on buttons, form fields and menu items – must be able to double in size - Resizing may rely on standard browser features, such as page zoom or the font size setting - Content must not be cut off, overlap or become unusable - Navigation and all functions must remain available **Exceptions:** - Captions – they’re often burned into the video or rendered by the player - Images of text – they can’t be scaled without losing quality (that’s what [Images of Text](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-4-5-images-of-text) is about) **Important:** the criterion is about visual presentation. Users should be able to enlarge text with the browser’s built-in tools, without needing special software such as a screen magnifier. How content must behave at even higher magnification is covered by [Reflow](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-4-10-reflow). ## 3. Why does it matter for accessibility? Imagine you want to order something online, but the product descriptions are printed so small you can barely make them out. Frustrating, right? For people with low vision, that’s everyday life. Resizable text makes content accessible because it: - **Lets people with low vision** read without installing special software - **Helps older people**, who often find small type harder to read - **Supports mobile users** who need larger text in bright sunlight or other difficult situations - **Makes reading easier for people with cognitive disabilities**, since larger text is often easier to take in - **Helps everyone in stressful situations** – such as important forms or complex content And the best part: resizable text works universally. It relies on standard browser features that are available on practically every device. ## 4. How to meet the criterion The good news: scalable text is usually easy to implement and often improves usability overall. Here are some proven tips: **Ground rules for scalable text:** - Use relative units (`rem`, `em`, `%`) for font sizes so the browser’s font size setting takes effect too - Design flexible layouts that adapt to larger text - Avoid fixed heights and widths on text containers, which lead to clipping when text grows - Test regularly at 200% – with browser zoom and with an enlarged default font size **Technical implementation:** - **CSS:** use, for example, `font-size: 1.125rem` instead of `font-size: 18px` - **Layout:** work with flexible containers (`flexbox`, `grid`) rather than rigid pixel dimensions - **Don’t block zoom:** avoid `user-scalable=no` and `maximum-scale=1` in the viewport meta tag – otherwise people can’t zoom on their phones - **Testing:** check different zoom levels in Chrome, Firefox and Safari **Avoid common pitfalls:** - Icons with text should scale together or have their own labels - Overlays and tooltips must still be fully visible with enlarged text - Navigation must not become unusable with larger text - Form labels and buttons must grow with the text **Testing tools:** - Browser zoom (Ctrl/Cmd + plus) - Browser settings for the default font size - Manual visual checks – automated tools such as WAVE or axe DevTools only find some problems, such as disabled zoom ## 5. Why this criterion matters for businesses Success Criterion 1.4.4 is another case where accessibility isn’t extra work – it’s a real advantage for conversions and customer satisfaction. **1. Reach a wider audience** According to the WHO, around 1.3 billion people worldwide live with a significant disability. Add older people whose eyesight is declining and everyone in difficult viewing situations. Scalable text makes your content comfortable to use for far more people. **2. Improve conversions** People who can read your text easily understand better what you offer. Legible, resizable text lowers the barrier to action – from newsletter sign-ups to completed purchases. **3. Improve the mobile experience** Scalable text and flexible layouts work better across screen sizes and changing light conditions. Mobile use in particular benefits. **Last but not least: legal requirements.** The European Accessibility Act (Directive (EU) 2019/882) has applied since 28 June 2025 to many consumer products and services, such as online shops; in Germany it is implemented by the Barrierefreiheitsstärkungsgesetz (BFSG). The technical benchmark is the harmonised standard EN 301 549, which references WCAG 2.1 Level AA for web content – and 1.4.4 is part of that. Public sector bodies are covered by the Web Accessibility Directive (EU) 2016/2102. This section is general information, not legal advice. ## 6. The success criterion in the W3C’s words > **Success Criterion 1.4.4 Resize Text (Level AA)** > > Except for captions and images of text, text can be resized without assistive technology up to 200 percent without loss of content or functionality. In short: apart from captions and images of text, text must be resizable to 200% without assistive technology and without losing content or functionality. **Official explanation from the W3C** The W3C explains every success criterion in depth – with intent, examples and techniques. [Understanding 1.4.4](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/resize-text.html) ## More criteria from “Perceivable” [ 1.1.1 Level A ### Non-text Content When images need words. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-1-1-non-text-content) [ 1.2.1 Level A ### Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) When podcasts and silent videos need a second form. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-1-audio-only-and-video-only-prerecorded) [ 1.2.2 Level A ### Captions (Prerecorded) When videos need to make sense without sound. ](https://barrierefreihochzwei.de/en/wcag/1-2-2-captions-prerecorded)