Accessible content checklist

This checklist covers the content accessibility actions that are within your control as a website owner. Each item maps to a WCAG 2.1 AA requirement.

Use this list when you add new content, update existing pages, or do a regular review of your site.

Images

• Every informational image has alt text that describes what the image shows.
• Alt text does not start with "image of" or "photo of" (screen readers already announce it's an image).
• Alt text is specific and descriptive, not generic ("Our team" instead of "photo").
• Decorative images (purely visual, no information) have empty alt text: alt="".
• Charts, graphs, and infographics have alt text that describes the data they show, or the data is provided in a text table nearby.
• Logo images used as links have alt text naming the company (e.g., "Chykalophia logo").

See Alt text explained for full guidance.

Text and headings

• Pages use headings in a logical order: one H1 per page, then H2s for main sections, H3s for sub-sections. Headings are not skipped (no jumping from H1 to H4).
• Headings describe the content of their section — they are not used just to make text look bigger.
• Paragraphs are short (2–4 sentences). There are no large walls of text.
• Plain language is used throughout. Jargon is defined when first used.
• Text is left-aligned (not fully justified). Fully justified text creates uneven spacing that is harder to read.

Links

• Link text describes where the link goes. "See our pricing page" — not "click here."
• Link text makes sense out of context. Screen readers can list all links on a page — each one should be understandable on its own.
• Links that open in a new tab are noted (e.g., "opens in a new window").
• Email links and phone number links are formatted properly so assistive technologies can activate them.

Color and contrast

• Body text meets a contrast ratio of at least 4.5:1 against its background. (WCAG 2.1 AA requirement for normal text.)
• Large text (18pt / 24px or larger) meets a contrast ratio of at least 3:1.
• Information is not conveyed by color alone. (Example: don't use only "red = required field" — add a label or symbol too.)

See Color contrast & readability for how to check your contrast ratio.

Video

• Videos have captions for all spoken content.
• If a video conveys important visual information with no audio explanation, an audio description or transcript is provided.
• Videos do not autoplay with sound.
• Videos can be paused and stopped.

See Using video on your website for full guidance.

Documents and PDFs

• PDFs have document titles set (not just the filename).
• PDFs have document structure (headings, lists) — not just visually formatted text.
• PDFs have alt text on all images within them.
• PDFs include selectable, copyable text — not just a scanned image of text.

See PDFs & documents on your site.

Forms

• Every form field has a visible, persistent label (not just placeholder text that disappears when you type).
• Required fields are clearly marked.
• Error messages are specific — they tell the user what went wrong and how to fix it.
• Forms can be completed using a keyboard alone.

General

• Content can be resized up to 200% without losing information or requiring horizontal scrolling.
• There is no content that flashes more than three times per second (can trigger seizures).
• Pages have descriptive, unique titles (visible in the browser tab and used by screen readers to identify the page).

Common questions

Related guides

• Web accessibility basics
• Alt text explained
• Color contrast & readability
• Using video on your website
• PDFs & documents on your site

Learn more

• W3C WAI — WCAG 2.1 quick reference
• WebAIM — contrast checker
• W3C WAI — easy checks — a first review of web accessibility