WCAG 2.2 map by theme
This diagram groups all the success criteria from the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) by theme, in version 2.2, levels A and AA.
It illustrates the practical links between each criterion which may not be apparent in the guideline names. For example, all the criteria that can be tested using a keyboard are on one line. The structure is largely based on the WCAG decision tree that goes into more detail on how to test for each criterion.
Map
Description
The map resembles an underground train map, showing 55 success criteria as stations across 7 lines.
Each station marker shows whether a criterion is level A or AA. The 4 WCAG principles are depicted with thin grey lines as zones moving outwards from the centre:
- 1.x.x - Perceivable (these are closest to the centre)
- 2.x.x - Operable
- 3.x.x - Understandable
- 4.x.x - Robust (furthest from the centre)
Each line is described in detail in the next sections.
These amazing alternative projects use the same groupings:
- WCAG 2.2 explorer by Vicky Teinaki which is interactive and uses the same groupings.
- Figma: WCAG 2.2 Card Deck by Johannes Lehner, which adds a brief explanation of each criterion using "WCAG, but in a language I understand" by Martin Underhill
The map concept was originally inspired by Intopia's fantastic WCAG 2.2 map with a desire to approach the criteria from a slightly different angle.
Keyboard
These criteria ensure functionality works predictably with a keyboard.
The line is blue, running from west to north.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
1.4.13 | Content on hover or focus | AA | |
2.1.1 | Keyboard | A | none |
2.1.2 | No keyboard trap | A | none |
2.1.4 | Character key shortcuts | A | none |
2.4.1 | Bypass blocks | A | none |
2.4.3 | Focus order | A | none |
2.4.7 | Focus visible | AA | |
2.4.11 | Focus not obscured | AA | none |
3.2.1 | On focus | A | none |
3.2.2 | On input | A | |
4.1.2 | Name, role, value | A |
Zoom & legibility
These criteria ensure that text is:
- legible when zoomed or spaced out
- stored as text rather than just in an image
- usable when it appears on hover or focus
The line is red, mainly running westwards from west of the centre.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
1.4.3 | Contrast | AA | |
1.4.5 | Images of text | AA | |
1.4.4 | Resize text | AA | none |
1.4.10 | Reflow | AA | |
1.4.12 | Text spacing | AA | none |
1.4.13 | Content on hover or focus | AA |
Sensory
These criteria prevent content from being reliant on particular senses, by:
- having enough contrast
- not relying on vision, colour, hearing or timing
- avoiding audio or video distractions
The line is yellow, mainly running from north west to east, looping back onto itself from Sensory Characteristics onwards.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
2.4.7 | Focus visible | AA | |
1.4.11 | Non-text contrast | AA | none |
1.4.3 | Contrast | AA | |
1.4.1 | Use of colour | A | none |
1.4.5 | Images of text | AA | |
1.1.1 | Non-text content | A | |
1.3.3 | Sensory characteristics | A | |
1.2.1 | Audio/video only | A | none |
1.2.2 | Captions (prerecorded) | A | none |
1.2.4 | Captions (live) | AA | none |
1.2.5 | Audio description | AA | none |
1.2.3 | Audio description or media alternative | A | none |
1.4.2 | Audio control | A | none |
2.2.1 | Timing adjustable | A | |
2.2.2 | Pause, stop, hide | A | none |
2.3.1 | Three flashes (or below threshold) | A | none |
Code & Labels
These criteria make content compatible with assistive technology by being:
- coded consistently with how it appears visually
- appropriately labelled
Forms have an additional set of criteria.
The line is black, mainly running from south to north.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
3.1.2 | Language of parts | AA | none |
3.1.1 | Language of page | A | none |
2.4.2 | Page titled | A | |
1.1.1 | Non-text content | A | |
1.3.1 | Info and relationships | A | none |
1.3.2 | Meaningful sequence | A | none |
2.4.4 | Link purpose | A | none |
2.4.6 | Headings and labels | AA | none |
2.5.3 | Label in name | A | none |
3.3.2 | Labels or instructions | A | |
3.2.2 | On input | A | |
4.1.2 | Name, role, value | A | |
4.1.3 | Status messages | AA |
Forms
These criteria help ensure usable forms that:
- do not rely on timing or sensory instructions
- have appropriate instructions and error messages
- are interactive with assistive technology
- are easy to log in and complete
The line is green, mainly running from east of centre to north. It loops back onto itself from Identify Input Purpose onwards.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
2.2.1 | Timing adjustable | A | |
1.3.3 | Sensory characteristics | A | |
1.3.5 | Identify input purpose | AA | none |
3.3.2 | Labels or instructions | A | |
3.2.2 | On input | A | |
4.1.2 | Name, role, value | A | |
4.1.3 | Status messages | AA | |
3.3.1 | Error identification | A | none |
3.3.3 | Error suggestion | AA | none |
3.3.4 | Error prevention | AA | none |
3.3.7 | Redundant entry | A | none |
3.3.8 | Accessible authentication | AA | none |
Gestures
These criteria ensure that functionality:
- does not rely on gestures, dragging or motion
- works on small screens in both portrait and landscape
- reduces the risk of activating an unwanted action
The line is cyan, running in a loop in the south west.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
1.4.13 | Content on hover or focus | AA | |
1.3.4 | Orientation | AA | none |
1.4.10 | Reflow | AA | |
2.5.1 | Pointer gestures | A | none |
2.5.2 | Pointer cancellation | A | none |
2.5.4 | Motion actuation | A | none |
2.5.7 | Dragging movements | AA | none |
2.5.8 | Target size | AA | none |
Whole site
These criteria need to be tested across a whole site, to ensure:
- names, menus and help mechanisms appear consistently
- pages have meaningful titles
- there is more than one way to access each page
The line is pink, running from south to south east.
Number | Success criterion | Level | Interchanges |
---|---|---|---|
2.4.2 | Page titled | A | |
2.4.5 | Multiple ways | AA | none |
3.2.3 | Consistent navigation | AA | none |
3.2.4 | Consistent identification | AA | none |
3.2.6 | Consistent help | A | none |
Licence
Thanks for looking! This work is licensed under Creative Commons: CC BY-NC 4.0
I'm happy for anyone to use or adapt this map as long as:
- I'm credited, with a link back to the full accessible description on AndrewHick.com/wcag
- any sharing or reworking of the map is itself accessible (for example, the image has alternative text)
- you ask me before using it commercially