Resource guide
1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)
Images of text must only be used for logotypes. All other text must be real text.
By Calling All Minds·Last updated April 2026
Success criterion
Conformance level
Enhanced accessibility — beyond the legal minimum.
What it means
This is the stricter version of 1.4.5 (Level AA). At Level AA, images of text are allowed when a particular visual presentation is essential and cannot be achieved with CSS. At Level AAA, the only permitted exception is logotypes.
This means that promotional banners, decorative headings, pull quotes, or any other content that uses images of text for visual reasons must be converted to real text styled with CSS and web fonts.
In practice
Replace image-based headings with web fonts and CSS text effects. Modern CSS supports text gradients, outlines, shadows, and variable fonts that can achieve most visual effects previously requiring images.
Audit your pages for any img elements whose alt text contains full sentences or significant words. These are candidates for conversion to real text.
Common failures
- Promotional banner where the headline is an image of text for visual reasons
- Event poster image where all text content is baked into the image
AXS Audit
AXS Audit checks your site against 1.4.9 and flags issues your team can act on straight away. It covers criteria that automated scanners often miss.