Making accessibility standards easy to understand, one success criterion at a time.

level: AA

Level AA is the standard level most websites aim to meet. Most countries, states, and municipalities base their accessibility laws on WCAG AA. When people say “accessible website,” they typically mean WCAG AA compliance. Successfully implement every success criterion under Level AA and A to achieve this standard.

WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA
WCAG 2.2 Level AA

2.4.11 Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)

The keyboard focus is not completely hidden by other content.

Keyboard
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

2.4.5 Multiple Ways

Header navigation is not the only way to get around a website; there’s another way, such as on-page links, a sitemap, or a site-wide search.

Whole Site
Cognitive, Visual
Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Headings are descriptive of the content that they contain, form labels clearly describe what information is required, and buttons inform the user what will happen when they’re pressed.

Code and Labels, Wording
Cognitive, Visual
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

2.4.7 Focus Visible

There’s visible keyboard focus styling to indicate which element you’re currently focused on.

Keyboard, Sensory
Cognitive, Physical/Motor, Visual
Code, Design
WCAG 2.2 Level AA

2.5.7 Dragging Movements

Any action requiring dragging, such as reordering items, must also be possible using buttons or other non-drag methods.

Gestures
Cognitive, Physical/Motor
Code
WCAG 2.2 Level AA

2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum)

Clickable elements must be at least 24 by 24 pixels, except for inline links.

Gestures
Physical/Motor
Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

3.1.2 Language of Parts

Any parts of the page that are in a different language to the page itself are marked up with the appropriate lang value. Names and phrases derived from other languages, like “Déjà vu” in English, don’t need this.

Code and Labels, Wording
Cognitive, Visual
Content
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

3.2.3 Consistent Navigation

Navigation is consistent from page to page.

Whole Site
Cognitive
Design
WCAG 2.0, 2.1, 2.2 Level AA

3.2.4 Consistent Identification

Things that carry out a particular function should always look and work the same.

Whole Site
Cognitive
Code, Design