# WCAG 2.2 – 1.1.1 Non-text Content

- Level: A
- Principle: 1 Perceivable
- Guideline: 1.1 Text Alternatives
- Introduced in: WCAG 2.0

## What the rule requires

Images, icons, charts and other non-text content need a text alternative that serves the same purpose. Purely decorative images are hidden from assistive technology.

## How to get it right

Give every informative image an alt attribute that says what matters: alt="Bar chart: revenue grew 12% in 2025". Decorative images get an empty alt="".

## Who benefits

- Blind people
- People with low vision
- People with cognitive disabilities

## Sources

- [This rule on wcag.dehl.net](https://wcag.dehl.net/en/wcag/1-1-1/)
- [Interactive demo](https://wcag.dehl.net/en/demos/#alt-text)
- [Official W3C explanation](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/non-text-content)
- [Techniques (WCAG Quick Reference)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/#non-text-content)

_Plain-language explanation. Only the original W3C text is normative._