Perceivable
Everyone must be able to take in the content with at least one sense: sight, hearing or touch.
Web accessibility
The web is for everyone.
WCAG is the global rulebook for accessible websites. Get to know all 86 rules here: explained simply, to listen to, watch and try out.
- 86rules, all explained
- 4principles
- 3levels: A, AA, AAA
- 10demos to try
Four principles – one idea
Every WCAG rule belongs to one of four principles. Memory aid: content must be perceivable, operable, understandable and robust (POUR).
Principle 1 Principle 2 Operable
Everything must be usable – by keyboard, mouse, touch, voice or assistive technology, and without time pressure.
Principle 3 Understandable
Text and behaviour must be clear and predictable. Mistakes are easy to avoid and to fix.
Principle 4 Robust
Content must work reliably with browsers and assistive technology such as screen readers – today and tomorrow.
Learn the way that suits you
All rules
86 success criteria in plain language, each with an example and a practical tip. Filter by level and audience.
Try it yourself
Contrast checker, keyboard test, screen reader simulation and more: experience barriers – and how to remove them.
Listen and watch
Podcast episodes and explainer videos with captions and transcripts. Free to reuse, including on YouTube.
Website checker
Enter an address and get an interactive report: what is wrong, which rule is affected, and how to fix it.
Accessible advertising
A concept for ads that exclude no one: no autoplay, no flicker, fully keyboard operable.
Search
Find rules by meaning, not just keywords: “video without sound” takes you to the matching criteria.
Three levels: A, AA and AAA
Every rule has a level. It tells you how fundamental the rule is.
- Level A
Level A: 31 rules
The bare minimum. Without these, some people cannot use the content at all.
- Level AA
Level AA: 24 rules
The usual standard. Laws such as the European Accessibility Act and the EN 301 549 standard require A and AA.
- Level AAA
Level AAA: 31 rules
The highest level. Not fully achievable for every page – but every rule you meet helps.
Frequently asked questions
What is WCAG?
WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. They are published by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and describe how websites and apps must be built so that people with disabilities can use them.
Which version of WCAG is current?
The current version is WCAG 2.2, published in October 2023. It contains 86 success criteria: 31 at Level A, 24 at Level AA and 31 at Level AAA. WCAG 2.2 adds 9 new criteria compared to WCAG 2.1 and removes criterion 4.1.1.
Who needs accessibility?
Everyone. It is essential for people with visual, hearing, motor or learning disabilities. But older people, someone with a broken arm, or anyone using a phone in bright sunlight benefit too.
Does my website have to be accessible?
Public sector bodies in the EU are required to comply. Since 28 June 2025 the European Accessibility Act also covers many private services such as online shops and banking. The benchmark is usually WCAG Level AA. This site is not legal advice.
How do I test whether my website is accessible?
Automated tools like the checker on this site find roughly a third of the problems. The rest you find by manual testing: use only the keyboard, listen with a screen reader, zoom to 400% – and ideally by testing with disabled people.