The structure of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1
This page was archived on January 23, 2026. The information is provided for reference, research, or recordkeeping purposes. For current information, please visit Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1 - w3.org.
Principle 1 – Perceivable
Guideline 1.1 – Text Alternatives
- Success Criteria 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A)
Guideline 1.2 – Time-Based Media
- Success Criteria 1.2.1 audio-only and video-only (prerecorded) (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.2.2 captions (prerecorded) (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.2.3 audio description or media alternative (prerecorded) (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.2.4 captions (live) (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.2.5 audio description (prerecorded) (Level AA)
Guideline 1.3 – Adaptable
- Success Criteria 1.3.1 info and relationships (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.3.2 meaningful sequence (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.3.3 sensory characteristics (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.3.4 orientation (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.3.5 identify input purpose (Level AA)
Guideline 1.4 – Distinguishable
- Success Criteria 1.4.1 use of color (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.4.2 audio control (Level A)
- Success Criteria 1.4.3 contrast (minimum) (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.4 resize text (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.5 images of text (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.10 reflow (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.11 non-text contrast (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.12 text spacing (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 1.4.13 content on hover or focus (Level AA)
Principle 2 – Operable
Guideline 2.1 – Keyboard Accessible
- Success Criteria 2.1.1 keyboard (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.1.2 no keyboard trap (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.1.4 character key shortcuts (Level A)
Guideline 2.2 – Enough Time
- Success Criteria 2.2.1 timing adjustable (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.2.2 pause, stop, hide (Level A)
Guideline 2.3 – Seizures
- Success Criteria 2.3.1 three flashes or below threshold (Level A)
Guideline 2.4 – Navigable
- Success Criteria 2.4.1 bypass blocks (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.4.2 page titled (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.4.3 focus order (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.4.4 link Purpose (in context) (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.4.5 multiple ways (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 2.4.6 headings and labels (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 2.4.7 focus visible (Level AA)
Guideline 2.5 – Input Modalities
- Success Criteria 2.5.1 pointer gestures (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.5.2 pointer cancellation (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.5.3 label in name (Level A)
- Success Criteria 2.5.4 motion actuation (Level A)
Principle 3 – Understandable
Guideline 3.1 – Readable
- Success Criteria 3.1.1 language of page (Level A)
- Success Criteria 3.1.2 language of parts (Level AA)
Guideline 3.2 – Predictable
- Success Criteria 3.2.1 on focus (Level A)
- Success Criteria 3.2.2 on input (Level A)
- Success Criteria 3.2.3 consistent navigation (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 3.2.4 consistent identification (Level AA)
Guideline 3.3 – Input Assistance
- Success Criteria 3.3.1 error identification (Level A)
- Success Criteria 3.3.2 labels or instructions (Level A)
- Success Criteria 3.3.3 error suggestion (Level AA)
- Success Criteria 3.3.4 error prevention (legal, financial, data) (Level AA)
Principle 4 – Robust
Guideline 4.1 – Compatible
- Success Criteria 4.1.1 parsing (Level A)
- Success Criteria 4.1.2 Name, Role, Value (Level A)
- Success Criteria 4.1.3 status messages (Level AA)