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WCAG Explorer (beta)

This resource is designed for anyone eager to master digital accessibility. Explore WCAG success criteria through clear, easy-to-understand descriptions. We owe a special "hat tip" to Johannes Lehner’s WCAG Card Deck, which served as the inspiration for this project.

We plan to expand this library over time, so please check back regularly for updates.

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  • Operable

33 success criteria found for Level A, AA, AAA and Operable principle and

Success criterion 2.1.1 Keyboard

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

All functionality must be operable using a keyboard alone, unless the task requires freehand input (e.g. drawing).

Success criterion 2.1.2 No Keyboard Trap

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

It must always be possible to move focus into and out of any component using a keyboard alone (e.g. [tab], [shift]+[tab], [enter], [esc]), without getting stuck.

Success criterion 2.1.4 Character Key Shortcuts [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

Keyboard shortcuts should use modifier keys like [ctrl], [cmd], or [alt/option]. If single-key shortcuts are used (e.g. 'S' for save), it must be possible to:

  • turn them off,
  • remap them with a modifier key, or
  • restrict them to when the relevant element is focused

Success criterion 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY

Time limits must be avoided unless essential for the task (e.g. exams, auctions). If time limits are used, it must be possible to:

  • turn them off,
  • adjust them to at least 10× the default, or
  • extend them by at least 10×.

Success criterion 2.2.2 Pause, Stop, Hide

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

If content moves, scrolls, blinks, or updates automatically for more than 5 seconds, it must be possible to:

  • pause it,
  • stop it, or
  • hide it

Success criterion 2.3.1 Three Flashes or Below Threshold

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Content must not flash, blink, or flicker more than three times per second, unless it stays within safety limits designed to avoid visual overload and reduce the risk of seizures.

Success criterion 2.4.1 Bypass Blocks

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

It must be possible to skip repeated blocks of content (e.g. navigation, header) and jump directly to the main part of the page.

Success criterion 2.4.2 Page Titled

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WHOLE SITE WORDING

Each page must have a unique and descriptive <title> that reflects its topic or purpose.

Success criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

Focus must follow a logical and meaningful order that preserves relationships and matches how the page is naturally read, regardless of layout or language direction.

Success criterion 2.5.3 Label in Name [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS FORMS

The visible text of a button, link, or form field must also be part of its accessible (programmatic) name.

Success criterion 2.5.4 Motion Actuation [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level A, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: GESTURES

If an action can be triggered by motion (like shaking or tilting the device), it must also:

  • work without motion, and
  • be possible to turn off motion-based input

Success criterion 2.4.5 Multiple Ways

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: WHOLE SITE

At least two different ways must be available to find pages or content (e.g. navigation menus, on-page links, site search, or a sitemap).

Success criterion 2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING

Headings must describe what follows.

Labels and buttons must clearly communicate what information is needed or what action will happen.

Success criterion 2.4.7 Focus Visible

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD SENSORY

A visible indicator must show which element is currently focused when navigating with a keyboard.

Success criterion 2.5.7 Dragging Movements [2.2 only]

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: GESTURES

Actions that require dragging (like reordering) must also be possible using buttons or another method that does not require dragging.

Success criterion 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) [2.2 only]

Level Level AA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: GESTURES

Targets must be at least 24×24px, unless they are:

  • part of a sentence or block of text,
  • surrounded by enough space, or
  • near another target with the same function that meets the size

Success criterion 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception)

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: KEYBOARD

All functionality must be operable using a keyboard alone (no exception, not even for tasks involving gestures like drag-and-drop or pointer-based interaction).

Success criterion 2.2.3 No Timing

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: FORMS SENSORY

Content must not include time limits for reading or interaction, unless it's part of a live event or time-based activity (e.g. auctions, broadcasts).

Success criterion 2.2.4 Interruptions

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Interruptions (like pop-ups, alerts, or notifications) must be able to be:

  • delayed or suppressed, and
  • controlled,

except in emergencies (e.g. critical system warnings).

Success criterion 2.2.5 Re-authenticating

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: FORMS

If a logged-in session expires mid-way through a task, any data entered after expiry is kept, so that they don’t have to re-enter it when they log in again.

Success criterion 2.3.2 Three Flashes

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Content must not flash, blink, or flicker more than three times per second (no exception, not even if it meets safety thresholds).

Success criterion 2.3.3 Animation from Interactions [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: SENSORY

Animations triggered by interaction (e.g. on click, hover, tap) must be possible to:

  • disable through system settings (e.g. "reduce motion"), or
  • turn off using a site-level option.

Success criterion 2.4.10 Section Headings

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS

Related content must be organized into clear sections using headings.

Success criterion 2.4.8 Location

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: WHOLE SITE

It must be clear where you are within a set of pages (e.g. using breadcrumbs, highlighted menu items, or headings).

Success criterion 2.4.9 Link Purpose (Link Only)

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: CODE AND LABELS WORDING

The purpose of each link must be clear:

  • from the link text alone
  • without relying on surrounding context.

Success criterion 2.5.5 Target Size [2.1 and 2.2]

Level Level AAA, WCAG principle: Operable

Assigned to the following themes: GESTURES

Targets for touch or mouse must be at least 44×44px, unless they are:

  • part of a sentence or block of text,
  • near another target with the same function that meets the size, or
  • in a context where size can't be increased