WCAG Checklists

It’s extremely useful to have a WCAG checklist to hand when you’re working through the guidelines. A WCAG checklist helps you to check your web accessibility progress, record how far you’ve come and set your targets out for the future.

Wuhcag is all about holistic web accessibility – that means taking everything about your website into account. That’s why I don’t rush you to make every web accessibility change at once – it’s too much for you to do and so it’s bad for your users. I love a structured approach to everything in life, and your website is no exception.

I’ve created a three checklists for you below, with links to articles about each guideline. You can get three free PDFs checklists when you join my free newsletter, where the Wuhcag community focuses on one guideline every week.

I’ve organised my WCAG checklists by level (read more about WCAG levels here). If you’re attacking the guidelines in order (and I suggest you do), you’ll move from Level A (Beginner) through Level AA (Intermediate) and on to Level AAA (Advanced).

WCAG Checklist Level A (Beginner)

Guideline	Summary
1.1.1 – Non-text Content	Provide text alternatives for non-text content that serves the same purpose.
1.2.1 – Audio-only and Video-only (Pre-recorded)	Provide an alternative to video-only and audio-only content.
1.2.2 – Captions (Pre-recorded)	Provide captions for videos with audio.
1.2.3 – Audio Description or Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)	Provide audio description or text transcript for videos with sound.
1.3.1 – Info and Relationships	Content, structure and relationships can be programmatically determined.
1.3.2 – Meaningful Sequence	Present content in a meaningful order.
1.3.3 – Sensory Characteristics	Instructions don’t rely solely on sensory characteristics.
1.4.1 – Use of Colour	Don’t use presentation that relies solely on colour.
1.4.2 – Audio Control	Don’t play audio automatically.
2.1.1 – Keyboard	Accessible by keyboard only
2.1.2 – No Keyboard Trap	Don’t trap keyboard users
2.2.1 – Timing Adjustable	Time limits have user controls
2.2.2 – Pause, Stop, Hide	Provide user controls for moving content
2.3.1 – Three Flashes or Below	No content flashes more than three times per second
2.4.1 – Bypass Blocks	Provide a ‘Skip to Content’ link
2.4.2 – Page Titled	Use helpful and clear page titles
2.4.3 – Focus Order	Logical order
2.4.4 – Link Purpose (In Context)	Every link’s purpose is clear from its context
3.1.1 – Language of Page	Page has a language assigned
3.2.1 – On Focus	Elements do not change when they receive focus
3.2.2 – On Input	Elements do not change when they receive input
3.3.1 – Error Identification	Clearly identify input errors
3.3.2 – Labels or Instructions	Label elements and give instructions
4.1.1 – Parsing	No major code errors
4.1.2 – Name, Role, Value	Build all elements for accessibility

WCAG Checklist Level AA (Intermediate)

Guideline	Summary
1.2.4 – Captions (Live)	Add captions to live videos.
1.2.5 – Audio Description (Pre-recorded)	Provide audio descriptions for pre-recorded videos.
1.3.4 – Orientation	Your website adapts to portrait and landscape views.
1.3.5 – Identify Input Purpose	The purpose of input fields must be programmatically determinable.
1.4.3 – Contrast (Minimum)	Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 4.5:1.
1.4.4 – Resize Text	Text can be resized to 200% without loss of content or function.
1.4.5 – Images of Text	Don’t use images of text.
1.4.10 – Reflow	Content retains meaning and function without scrolling in two dimensions.
1.4.11 – Non-Text Contrast	The contrast between user interface components, graphics and adjacent colours is at least 3:1.
1.4.12 – Text Spacing	Content and function retain meaning when users change elements of text spacing.
1.4.13 – Content on Hover or Focus	When hover or focus triggers content to appear, it is dismissible, hoverable and persistent.
2.4.5 – Multiple Ways	Offer several ways to find pages
2.4.6 – Headings and Labels	Use clear headings and labels
2.4.7 – Focus Visible	Ensure keyboard focus is visible and clear
3.1.2 – Language of Parts	Tell users when the language on a page changes
3.2.3 – Consistent Navigation	Use menus consistently
3.2.4 – Consistent Identification	Use icons and buttons consistently
3.3.3 – Error Suggestion	Suggest fixes when users make errors
3.3.4- Error Prevention (Legal, Financial, Data)	Reduce the risk of input errors for sensitive data

WCAG Checklist Level AAA (Advanced)

Guideline	Summary
1.2.6 – Sign Language (Pre-recorded)	Provide sign language translations for pre-recorded videos.
1.2.7 – Extended Audio description (Pre-recorded)	Provide extended audio descriptions for pre-recorded videos.
1.2.8 – Media Alternative (Pre-recorded)	Provide text alternatives for pre-recorded videos.
1.2.9 – Audio Only (Live)	Provide alternatives for live audio.
1.3.6 – Identify Purpose	The purpose of all components must be programmatically determinable.
1.4.6 – Contrast (Enhanced)	Contrast ratio between text and background is at least 7:1.
1.4.7 – Low or No Background Audio	Audio-only content is clear with no or minimal background noise.
1.4.8 – Visual Presentation	Offer users a range of presentation options for blocks of text.
1.4.9 – Images of Text (No Exception)	Don’t use images of text.
2.1.3 – Keyboard (No Exception)	Accessible by keyboard only, without exception
2.2.3 – No Timing	No time limits
2.2.4 – Interruptions	Don’t interrupt users
2.2.5 – Re-authenticating	Save user data when re-authenticating
2.3.2 – Three Flashes	No content flashes more than three times per second
2.4.8 – Location	Let users know where they are
2.4.9 – Link Purpose (Link Only)	Every link’s purpose is clear from its text
2.4.10 – Section Headings	Break up content with headings
3.1.3 – Unusual words	Explain any strange words
3.1.4 – Abbreviations	Explain any abbreviations
3.1.5 – Reading Level	Users with nine years of school can read your content
3.1.6 – Pronunciation	Explain any words that are hard to pronounce
3.2.5 – Change on Request	Don’t change elements on your website until users ask
3.3.5 – Help	Provide detailed help and instructions
3.3.6 – Error Prevention (All)	Reduce the risk of all input errors

Find out more

• WebAIM have a checklist too
• W3C’s checklist
• Penn State University has a good summary of the guidelines