How to use this list
1️⃣ Scan automatically
Roughly 80% of the errors users actually complain about can be found by machine: contrast, alt text, labels, language. Use the free scanner.
2️⃣ Review by hand
Keyboard navigation, focus order and screen readers cannot be fully automated. Walk through your page once with this list beside you.
3️⃣ Document it
Generate an accessibility statement once the problems are fixed — it is required under the accessibility law.
| Nr. | Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4.11 | Focus Not Obscured (NEW IN 2.2) | Focus is never fully hidden behind sticky headers or modals |
| 2.5.7 | Dragging Alternatives (NEW IN 2.2) | Drag-and-drop also works with a click |
| 2.5.8 | Target Size (NEW IN 2.2) | Clickable areas are at least about 24×24 px |
| 3.2.6 | Consistent Help (NEW IN 2.2) | Help/contact sits in the same place on every page |
| 3.3.7 | Redundant Entry (NEW IN 2.2) | Information already given is not asked for again |
| 3.3.8 | Accessible Authentication (NEW IN 2.2) | Login must not require remembering or solving puzzles; an alternative exists |
| Nr. | Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 | Non-text Content | Every image has alt text; decorative images have empty alt |
| 1.2.1 | Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded) | Videos with sound have a text or audio alternative |
| 1.2.2 | Captions (Prerecorded) | Videos with audio have captions |
| 1.2.3 | Audio Description or Media Alternative | Videos are usable without seeing the screen |
| 1.3.1 | Info and Relationships | Headings, lists and tables use the right HTML structure |
| 1.3.2 | Meaningful Sequence | Content makes sense in DOM order |
| 1.3.3 | Sensory Characteristics | Instructions never rely on shape, color, size or position alone |
| 1.4.1 | Use of Color | Color is never the only way to convey information |
| 1.4.2 | Audio Control | Auto-playing audio can be stopped |
| 2.1.1 | Keyboard | Everything works with the keyboard alone |
| 2.1.2 | No Keyboard Trap | Focus can always be moved away again |
| 2.1.4 | Character Key Shortcuts | Single-key shortcuts can be turned off or remapped |
| 2.2.1 | Timing Adjustable | Time limits can be extended or turned off |
| 2.2.2 | Pause, Stop, Hide | Moving or auto-updating content can be paused |
| 2.3.1 | Three Flashes or Below Threshold | Nothing flashes beyond the limits |
| 2.4.1 | Bypass Blocks | A "skip to content" link or correct landmark structure |
| 2.4.2 | Page Titled | Every page has a descriptive title |
| 2.4.3 | Focus Order | Tab order follows a logical sequence |
| 2.4.4 | Link Purpose (In Context) | Links describe where they lead |
| 2.5.1 | Pointer Gestures | Multi-point gestures have a single-pointer alternative |
| 2.5.2 | Pointer Cancellation | A click completes on release, and can be aborted |
| 2.5.3 | Label in Name | The visible label is part of the accessible name |
| 2.5.4 | Motion Actuation | Shake-to-activate can be turned off |
| 3.1.1 | Language of Page | <html lang="en"> (or another correct code) |
| 3.2.1 | On Focus | No unexpected changes when a field receives focus |
| 3.2.2 | On Input | Forms do not change context without warning |
| 3.3.1 | Error Identification | Form errors are described in text next to the field |
| 3.3.2 | Labels or Instructions | Every form field has a visible label |
| 4.1.2 | Name, Role, Value | Components (modals, dropdowns) expose themselves correctly to screen readers |
| Nr. | Requirement | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2.4 | Captions (Live) | Live videos have captions |
| 1.2.5 | Audio Description | Videos have an audio description |
| 1.3.4 | Orientation | Nothing locks to landscape-only or portrait-only |
| 1.3.5 | Identify Input Purpose | Fields like name/email support autofill |
| 1.4.3 | Contrast (Minimum) | Text contrast of at least 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text) |
| 1.4.4 | Resize Text | Text scales to 200% without loss of function |
| 1.4.5 | Images of Text | Real text instead of text in images |
| 1.4.10 | Reflow | No horizontal scrolling at 320 px width / 400% zoom |
| 1.4.11 | Non-text Contrast | Buttons, icons and fields have at least 3:1 contrast |
| 1.4.12 | Text Spacing | The page works with user-adjusted line and letter spacing |
| 1.4.13 | Content on Hover or Focus | Tooltips can be dismissed and kept open |
| 2.4.5 | Multiple Ways | More than one way to find pages (menu, search, index) |
| 2.4.6 | Headings and Labels | Descriptive headings and field labels |
| 2.4.7 | Focus Visible | Keyboard focus is clearly visible |
| 3.1.2 | Language of Parts | Words in other languages are marked with lang |
| 3.2.3 | Consistent Navigation | Navigation sits in the same place on every page |
| 3.2.4 | Consistent Identification | The same function has the same icon and text everywhere |
| 3.3.3 | Error Suggestion | Errors come with a suggested fix when possible |
| 3.3.4 | Error Prevention (Legal, Financial) | Important submissions can be reviewed or undone |
| 4.1.3 | Status Messages | Dynamic messages are announced (aria-live) |
The list shows levels A and AA (55 criteria). WCAG 2.2 additionally contains 31 AAA criteria, which are almost never required in full by law. The criterion numbers match W3C's official numbering, so you can look the details up directly at W3C.
Frequently asked questions
How many requirements are in WCAG 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 has 86 success criteria: 31 at level A, 24 at level AA and 31 at level AAA. Public bodies and most laws (including the EAA) require levels A and AA — 55 criteria in total.
What is new in WCAG 2.2 compared with 2.1?
Nine criteria were added in 2.2, six of them at level A or AA: focus not obscured (2.4.11), dragging alternatives (2.5.7), target size (2.5.8), consistent help (3.2.6), redundant entry (3.3.7) and accessible authentication (3.3.8). The other three are AAA-only, and 4.1.1 Parsing was removed. The ones that hit ordinary websites hardest are visible focus and login without cognitive traps.
Is WCAG 2.2 law in the EU?
Not directly. The EAA references EN 301 549, which incorporates WCAG 2.1 level A/AA — but market surveillance works with the newest version in practice, and the EU is updating the harmonised standards to 2.2. Build to WCAG 2.2 AA and you are covered for both.
What do levels A, AA and AAA mean?
The levels are grades of difficulty and importance. Level A is the basics (without them many people cannot use the page), AA is the standard law and contracts point to, and AAA is the best level — rarely required in full, because some AAA criteria cannot be met for all types of content.
How do I check my page against the list fastest?
The automatable criteria — contrast, alt text, labels, language, heading structure — can be checked for free with a scanner in minutes. The rest (focus order, keyboard navigation) is best done by hand. A free scan typically finds 80% of the errors users actually complain about.
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