Resource guide

WCAG 2.2 Success Criteria

All 86 active criteria explained in plain English — what they mean, how to meet them, and the most common failures.

By Calling All Minds·Last updated April 2026

86

Active criteria

4.1.1 was removed in WCAG 2.2.

32

Level A

The essential baseline every site must meet.

24

Level AA

The legal standard required by the EAA.

9

New in WCAG 2.2

Added in the September 2023 update.

About WCAG 2.2

The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) are the internationally recognised technical standard for digital accessibility. WCAG 2.2, published by the W3C in September 2023, is the version required by the European Accessibility Act (EAA), which applies to most digital products and services sold in the EU from May 2026.

The 86 active criteria are organised under four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. Each criterion has a conformance level. Level A is the minimum baseline, Level AA is the legal compliance target for the EAA, and Level AAA represents enhanced accessibility beyond the legal requirement.

Every criterion on this page links to a dedicated explanation covering what it means, how to meet it in practice, common failures, and the tricky edge cases where relevant.

EAA compliance target

The EAA requires Level AA conformance, meaning all Level A and Level AA criteria — 56 in total. Level AAA criteria are not legally required but represent best practice and are included here for completeness.

AEssential baseline

AAEAA legal standard

AAAEnhanced accessibility

NewAdded in WCAG 2.2

1

Principle 1: Perceivable

29 criteria

Information and UI components must be presentable to users in ways they can perceive.

1.1Text Alternatives

1×A

1.1.1Non-text Content

1.2Time-based Media

3×A2×AA4×AAA

1.2.1Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

1.2.2Captions (Prerecorded)

1.2.3Audio Description or Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

1.2.4Captions (Live)

1.2.5Audio Description (Prerecorded)

1.2.6Sign Language (Prerecorded)

1.2.7Extended Audio Description (Prerecorded)

1.2.8Media Alternative (Prerecorded)

1.2.9Audio-only (Live)

1.3Adaptable

3×A2×AA1×AAA

1.3.1Info and Relationships

1.3.2Meaningful Sequence

1.3.3Sensory Characteristics

1.3.4Orientation

1.3.5Identify Input Purpose

1.3.6Identify Purpose

1.4Distinguishable

2×A7×AA4×AAA

1.4.1Use of Colour

1.4.2Audio Control

1.4.3Contrast (Minimum)

1.4.4Resize Text

1.4.5Images of Text

1.4.6Contrast (Enhanced)

1.4.7Low or No Background Audio

1.4.8Visual Presentation

1.4.9Images of Text (No Exception)

1.4.11Non-text Contrast

1.4.12Text Spacing

1.4.13Content on Hover or Focus

Read the Perceivable principle guide

2

Principle 2: Operable

34 criteria

User interface components and navigation must be operable.

2.1Keyboard Accessible

3×A1×AAA

2.1.2No Keyboard Trap

2.1.3Keyboard (No Exception)

2.1.4Character Key Shortcuts

2.2Enough Time

2×A4×AAA

2.2.1Timing Adjustable

2.2.2Pause, Stop, Hide

2.2.4Interruptions

2.2.5Re-authenticating

2.3Seizures and Physical Reactions

1×A2×AAA

2.3.1Three Flashes or Below Threshold

2.3.2Three Flashes

2.3.3Animation from Interactions

2.4Navigable

4×A4×AA5×AAA

2.4.1Bypass Blocks

2.4.2Page Titled

2.4.3Focus Order

2.4.4Link Purpose (In Context)

2.4.5Multiple Ways

2.4.6Headings and Labels

2.4.7Focus Visible

2.4.9Link Purpose (Link Only)

2.4.10Section Headings

2.4.11Focus Not Obscured (Minimum)New

2.4.12Focus Not Obscured (Enhanced)New

2.4.13Focus AppearanceNew

2.5Input Modalities

4×A2×AA2×AAA

2.5.1Pointer Gestures

2.5.2Pointer Cancellation

2.5.3Label in Name

2.5.4Motion Actuation

2.5.5Target Size (Enhanced)

2.5.6Concurrent Input Mechanisms

2.5.7Dragging MovementsNew

2.5.8Target Size (Minimum)New

Read the Operable principle guide

3

Principle 3: Understandable

21 criteria

Information and the operation of the user interface must be understandable.

Read the Understandable principle guide

4

Principle 4: Robust

2 criteria

Content must be robust enough to be interpreted by a wide variety of user agents, including assistive technologies.

4.1Compatible

1×A1×AA

4.1.2Name, Role, Value

4.1.3Status Messages

Read the Robust principle guide

Using this reference with the EAA guide

These WCAG criterion pages are the canonical technical reference. The EAA guide explains the legal context, who is affected, deadlines, and how to prioritise your compliance work. The two resources are designed to be used together.

EAA Guide Getting started with EAA compliance

AXS Audit

AXS Audit evaluates your website against the full WCAG 2.2 matrix — visual, cognitive, and keyboard criteria that most automated scanners miss. Built by the same team that created this guide.

Explore AXS Audit