Web Content Accessibility Guidelines - WCAG 2.1 Reference Guide

The four principles of WCAG 2.1 are perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust. Under each of these four principles there are twelve guidelines.

Under the twelve guidelines there is a series of testable success criteria. This guide identifies all of the testable success criteria. Each success criteria contains a link to understand more information about the criteria and how to test each one.

1.1 Text Alternatives

Level A

1.1.1 Non-text Content

1.2 Time Based Media (Video)

Level A

1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)
1.2.2 Captions (Prerecorded)
1.2.3 Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

Level AA

1.2.4 Captions (Live)
1.2.5 Audio Description (Prerecorded)

Level AAA

1.2.6 Sign Language (Prerecorded)
1.2.7 Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)
1.2.8 Media Alternative (Prerecorded)
1.2.9 Audio-only (Live)

1.3 Adaptable

Level A

1.3.1 Info and Relationships
1.3.2 Meaningful Sequence
1.3.3 Sensory Charateristics

Level AA

1.3.4 Orientation (New in WCAG 2.1)
1.3.5 Identify Input Purpose (New in WCAG 2.1)

Level AAA

1.3.6 Identify Purpose (New in WCAG 2.1)

1.4 Distinguishable

Level A

1.4.1 Use of Color
1.4.2 Audio Control

Level AA

1.4.3 Contrast (Minimum)
1.4.4 Resize Text
1.4.5 Images of Text
1.4.10 Reflow (New in WCAG 2.1)
1.4.11 Non-Text Contrast (New in WCAG 2.1)
1.4.12 Text Spacing (New in WCAG 2.1)
1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus (New in WCAG 2.1)

Level AAA

1.4.6 Contrast (Enhanced)
1.4.7 Low or No Background Audio
1.4.8 Visual Presentation
1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)

2.1 Keyboard Accessible

Level A

2.1.1 Keyboard
2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap
2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts (New in WCAG 2.1)

Level AAA

2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)

2.2 Enough Time

Level A

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable
2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide

Level AAA

2.2.3 No Timing
2.2.4 Interruptions
2.2.5 Re-authenticating
2.2.6 Timeouts (New in WCAG 2.1)

2.3 Seizures and Physical Reactions

Level A

2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Level AAA

2.3.2 Three Flashes
2.3.3 Animation from Interactions (New in WCAG 2.1)

2.4 Navigable

Level A

2.4.1 Bypass Blocks
2.4.2 Page Titled
2.4.3 Focus Order
2.4.4 Link Purpose (In Context)

Level AA

2.4.5 Multiple Ways
2.4.6 Headings and Labels
2.4.7 Focus Visible

Level AAA

2.4.8 Location
2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)
2.4.10 Section Headings

2.5 Input Modalities

Level A

2.5.1 Pointer Gestures (New in WCAG 2.1)
2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation (New in WCAG 2.1)
2.5.3 Label in Name (New in WCAG 2.1)
2.5.4 Motion Actuation (New in WCAG 2.1)

Level AAA

2.5.5 Target Size (New in WCAG 2.1)
2.5.6 Cocurrent Input Mechanisms (New in WCAG 2.1)

3.1 Readable

Level A

3.1.1 Language of Page

Level AA

3.1.2 Language of Parts

Level AAA

3.1.3 Unusual Words
3.1.4 Abbreviations
3.1.5 Reading Level
3.1.6 Pronunciation

3.2 Predictable

Level A

3.2.1 On Focus
3.2.2 On Input

Level AA

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation
3.2.4 Consistent Identification

Level AAA

3.2.5 Change on Request

3.3 Input Assistance

Level A

3.3.1 Error Identification
3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

Level AA

3.3.3 Error Suggestion
3.3.4 Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)

Level AAA

3.3.5 Help
3.3.6 Error Prevention (All)

4.1 Compatible

Level A

4.1.1 Parsing
4.1.2 Name, Role, Value

Level AA

4.1.3 Status Messages (New in WCAG 2.1)