Website Accessibility Checklist (WCAG), Free Interactive

Make your website accessible to all users. Follow WCAG guidelines to ensure your site works for people with disabilities and avoid legal issues.

Visual & Content

Ensure content is perceivable by all users.

  • Add alt text to all meaningful images
  • Ensure color contrast ratio is at least 4.5:1 for text Tip: Use a free contrast checker like WebAIM to verify your color pairs
  • Don't use color alone to convey information
  • Provide captions for all video content
  • Use readable font sizes (minimum 16px body text)
  • Ensure text can be resized to 200% without breaking layout

Navigation & Interaction

Make your site navigable for all users.

  • Ensure all interactive elements are keyboard accessible (Tab, Enter, Space)
  • Add visible focus indicators for keyboard navigation
  • Provide skip navigation link at the top of each page
  • Ensure logical heading hierarchy (H1 → H2 → H3)
  • Use descriptive link text (avoid "click here")
  • Ensure dropdown menus are keyboard accessible

Forms & Inputs

Make forms usable for all users.

  • Associate labels with all form inputs
  • Provide clear error messages that identify the problem
  • Don't rely solely on placeholder text for instructions
  • Group related form fields with fieldset/legend
  • Ensure form validation messages are announced by screen readers

Technical & Testing

Technical checks and testing procedures.

  • Add ARIA landmarks to major page sections (header, nav, main, footer)
  • Set the lang attribute on the HTML element
  • Test with a screen reader (VoiceOver, NVDA, or JAWS)
  • Run automated accessibility tests (axe, WAVE, Lighthouse)
  • Ensure no content flashes more than 3 times per second
  • Test with keyboard-only navigation (no mouse)

Frequently asked questions

Is website accessibility legally required?

In many jurisdictions, yes. The ADA (US), AODA (Canada), and EAA (EU) require websites to be accessible. The number of accessibility lawsuits has increased significantly. Beyond legal requirements, it's the right thing to do.

What level of WCAG compliance should I aim for?

WCAG Level AA is the standard most businesses should target. It covers essential accessibility requirements without being overly restrictive. Level A is the minimum, while Level AAA is the gold standard.

How do I test my website for accessibility?

Use automated tools (axe, WAVE, Google Lighthouse) for quick audits, then test manually with keyboard navigation and a screen reader. Automated tools catch about 30% of issues; manual testing is essential.

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