Resource guide
2.5.3 Label in Name
Where a component has a visible text label, its accessible name must contain that visible text.
By Calling All Minds·Last updated April 2026
Success criterion
Conformance level
Essential baseline — must meet for any compliance.
What it means
Voice control users navigate by speaking the visible label of a control. If the accessible name of a component differs from its visible text, voice commands will not work. For example, a button that says 'Submit' but has aria-label="Send form" cannot be activated by saying 'Submit'.
The visible text must appear within the accessible name. The accessible name can include additional words around the visible text, but the visible text itself must be included.
In practice
If you use aria-label on an element that has visible text, include the visible text in the aria-label value.
If you use aria-labelledby, make sure the referenced element contains the visible label text.
The most reliable approach is to use the visible text as the accessible name with no overrides, and add additional context for screen readers using visually hidden text within the element.
Common failures
- Button with visible text 'Buy now' but
aria-label="Add to basket" - Link with visible text 'Read more' overridden with
aria-label="See full article about topic X"
AXS Audit
AXS Audit checks your site against 2.5.3 and flags issues your team can act on straight away. It covers criteria that automated scanners often miss.