Web Accessibility Checker

Enter any page URL to run an accessibility test with tabnav's free checker and see whether it meets ADA, WCAG, and EAA requirements - no signup needed.

For example, nike.com apple.com/iphone

A smarter way to check website accessibility.

Our technology uses an advanced scanning approach that reflects real behavior and finds issues other checkers miss.

This leads to more accurate findings to help meet legal guidelines, with more details explained in the video.

Accessibility checker video banner showing website testing interface

Scan your website accessibility in 3 easy steps

Tabnav free online accessibility checker tests any page you enter, identifies issues, provides code-level findings, and helps you improve fast.

  1. Enter website URL

    Paste any page URL and choose the region you want to test against global or local accessibility laws.

  2. Get results

    View your accessibility results instantly, including your score and detailed issue breakdown.

  3. Share or rescan

    Share results with your team or run another scan after applying improvements.

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Global accessibility guidelines: overview and latest major updates

International web accessibility standard

Overview

Developed by the W3C, the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define how to make web content accessible to people with disabilities. WCAG 2.2 adds new success criteria that improve support for cognitive, learning, vision, and mobile accessibility.

Read more

Last major update

October 2023

Adds nine new success criteria (e.g., improved focus indicators, target size, authentication assistance) and removes success criterion 4.1.1 Parsing.

Learn accessibility as you fix It

Each finding in Tabnav's free website accessibility checker connects to our free WCAG Academy, showing you how to fix issues and follow WCAG best practices.

Woman standing with a laptop viewing Tabnav Academy after using the free web accessibility checker

Best Practices

Learn how to meet WCAG standards with simple, expert guidance.

Do's and Don'ts

See what works and what to avoid with clear visual examples.

Real Use Cases

Explore real accessibility issues shown alongside correct implementations.

Visit WCAG Academy

What we check during your accessibility scan

Select a category to explore the checks we preform and understand why they matter.

Content & Media

Images, icons, and other visuals are reviewed for accurate text alternatives, and the web accessibility checker verifies that each element can be interpreted correctly by assistive technologies.

WHAT WE CHECK
All SVG graphics and icon elements are reviewed to confirm they include ARIA labels or text alternatives. Decorative icons use role="presentation" or aria-hidden="true", while meaningful ones include accessible names via aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers rely on these labels to describe icons and visuals. Without them, users may miss important interface details or functions. Tabnav ADA accessibility checker evaluates these elements to ensure they meet accessibility standards.
WHAT WE CHECK
Every <img> element must include an alt attribute. Functional images need meaningful alt text, while decorative ones use an empty value (alt="").
WHY IT MATTERS
Alternative text allows assistive technologies to describe images accurately. Missing or incorrect alt text prevents users from understanding visual content, an issue our WCAG checker identifies automatically.
WHAT WE CHECK
When a background image conveys meaning, it should include an accessible name through aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title, and use role="img" where appropriate.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers ignore background images unless labeled correctly. Proper tagging ensures meaningful visuals remain accessible for all users.
WHAT WE CHECK
<canvas> and <object> elements that display graphics or media must include labels like aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title, and a relevant role such as role="img" or role="graphics-symbol".
WHY IT MATTERS
Without proper labeling, assistive tools cannot describe the visuals inside these elements, leaving users without context or information. These checks form a key part of our accessibility checker workflow.
WHAT WE CHECK
Both the main image and each clickable region in an image map need descriptive alt text that identifies their function or destination.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers depend on these descriptions to explain interactive regions. Without them, image maps become confusing or unusable.
WHAT WE CHECK
Pages are checked to confirm users can zoom up to 200% without losing functionality. The viewport settings and CSS should not limit scaling.
WHY IT MATTERS
Zooming is crucial for users with low vision. Restricting it creates barriers and fails to meet accessibility standards.
WHAT WE CHECK
Every form field must have a visible label or instruction. Placeholders alone do not qualify because they disappear while typing.
WHY IT MATTERS
Visible labels help users understand what information to provide, especially those with cognitive or memory challenges.
WHAT WE CHECK
Links that open in new windows or tabs should include a clear indicator such as text, an icon, or ARIA attribute to inform users before activation.
WHY IT MATTERS
Unexpected new windows can confuse users, particularly those with cognitive or visual impairments. Indicators keep navigation predictable and ensure compliance with best practices verified through our web accessibility checker.
WHAT WE CHECK
Headings (<h1> through <h6> or elements with role="heading") must contain text content. If a heading contains only graphical elements like images, SVGs, or icons, those elements must have accessible names via alt attributes, aria-label, or aria-labelledby.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers announce headings to help users navigate page structure. Empty headings or headings with unlabeled graphics provide no useful information and create confusion about page organization. Our accessibility checker identifies these issues.
WHAT WE CHECK
List items (<li> elements or elements with role="listitem") must have a direct parent that is a list container (<ul>, <ol>, <dl>, or elements with role="list", role="menu", or role="menubar").
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers announce list context and the number of items to users. When list items are not direct children of proper list containers, assistive technology cannot accurately convey the list structure, count, or navigation context.
WHAT WE CHECK
Pages should contain exactly one <main> landmark (for primary content), exactly one banner landmark (from top-level <header> or role="banner"), and exactly one contentinfo landmark (from top-level <footer> or role="contentinfo").
WHY IT MATTERS
Landmarks are navigation shortcuts that screen reader users rely on to quickly jump between page regions. When a page has multiple banner or contentinfo landmarks, users cannot determine which is the actual site header or footer. Missing or duplicate main landmarks prevent users from efficiently skipping navigation and jumping directly to the primary content.
WHAT WE CHECK
When multiple landmarks of the same type exist on a page (e.g., multiple <nav> elements), each must have a unique accessible name using aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title attributes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users navigate pages by jumping between landmarks. When multiple landmarks of the same type exist without unique labels, users cannot distinguish between them. For example, "navigation" and "navigation" provide no context, while "Main Navigation" and "Footer Navigation" help users navigate efficiently.
WHAT WE CHECK
Submit buttons (button[type="submit"] or input[type="submit"]) must be contained within a <form> element. A submit button's purpose is to submit its form owner - without being inside a form, the button has no programmatic relationship to any form.
WHY IT MATTERS
Submit buttons that are not inside a form element are non-functional - they cannot submit any data. This creates confusion for all users, especially those using assistive technologies who may attempt to interact with a button that appears to be a submit button but does nothing.

Keyboard & Focus

Keyboard usability is tested across all interactive elements, while the accessibility checker confirms clear focus states, predictable movement, and full operability without a mouse.

WHAT WE CHECK
All links must have descriptive text or ARIA labels that clearly state their destination or purpose.
WHY IT MATTERS
Users navigating with screen readers rely on clear link names to understand where each link leads. Vague or missing labels can cause confusion and prevent effective navigation.
WHAT WE CHECK
When users navigate via keyboard, interactive elements must show a visible focus outline, border, or highlight.
WHY IT MATTERS
A visible focus indicator shows users exactly where they are on the page. Without it, those relying on keyboard navigation can easily lose track, creating frustration and accessibility barriers.
WHAT WE CHECK
Each interactive element like buttons, links, and controls must include an accessible name through visible text, aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title attributes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers use these labels to announce the purpose of interactive components. Missing names make it impossible for users to understand what an element does or how to interact with it.
WHAT WE CHECK
Pages should include skip links allowing keyboard users to bypass repetitive content like headers or menus and jump straight to the main section.
WHY IT MATTERS
Skip links improve efficiency for users who rely on keyboards or screen readers, letting them navigate content faster. Evaluated as part of our WCAG checker scan.
WHAT WE CHECK
Hidden or off-screen elements must use tabindex="-1" or aria-hidden="true" to remove them from the keyboard tab order.
WHY IT MATTERS
Elements not visible to sighted users should not receive focus. If they do, it can disorient screen reader users and break logical navigation.
WHAT WE CHECK
Every form control must have a programmatically associated label or ARIA attribute so assistive technologies can announce its purpose.
WHY IT MATTERS
Without clear associations between labels and controls, users cannot understand what input is required. Our ADA compliance check ensures these relationships are coded properly.
WHAT WE CHECK
When a dialog or popup is open, keyboard focus must remain inside it until it is closed, preventing background interaction.
WHY IT MATTERS
Trapping focus ensures users do not accidentally tab into hidden areas. This is essential for accessible modals and overlays.
WHAT WE CHECK
All dialogs and popups must provide a clear, keyboard-accessible exit method like pressing Escape or selecting a visible close button.
WHY IT MATTERS
Users who depend on keyboard navigation must be able to close modals without using a mouse. Missing exit options can trap users, breaking accessibility. Verified during our web accessibility checker review.
WHAT WE CHECK
Focus should move only when the user triggers an action. Interactive elements must not shift focus automatically.
WHY IT MATTERS
Unexpected focus movement can disorient screen reader users and those with cognitive disabilities. Our internal accessibility testing ensures a smooth and predictable navigation flow.
WHAT WE CHECK
When a form control has both a visible label and an accessible name (via aria-label, aria-labelledby, etc.), the accessible name must include the exact text of the visible label to ensure consistency for all users.
WHY IT MATTERS
Users with motor impairments who use voice control software (like "click Submit" or "click Email") rely on the visible label text being present in the accessible name. When the accessible name differs from or does not include the visible label, voice commands may fail, preventing these users from interacting with the form.
WHAT WE CHECK
Pages must contain exactly one <h1> element (or role="heading" with aria-level="1") that has an accessible name. The heading must be visible in the accessibility tree (not removed via aria-hidden="true" or CSS like display:none).
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users rely on the main heading to understand the page purpose and navigate content. A page without any properly labeled main heading leaves users unable to identify what the page is about, while multiple main headings create confusion about page hierarchy.

Page Structure

Page hierarchy, headings, and landmarks are evaluated for clarity, and the WCAG checker ensures the overall structure aligns with recognized accessibility patterns for assistive technologies.

WHAT WE CHECK
Elements that look like headings but are not coded with proper heading tags must include role="heading" and a defined aria-level (for example, aria-level="2").
WHY IT MATTERS
Assistive technologies depend on heading tags to navigate pages efficiently. Missing or incorrect heading roles make it harder for users to understand page hierarchy and content flow.
WHAT WE CHECK
Each form control must be programmatically linked to a label using <label>, aria-label, or aria-labelledby attributes.
WHY IT MATTERS
When labels are not correctly connected, screen readers cannot announce their purpose. Our ADA compliance check ensures users can complete forms confidently and independently.
WHAT WE CHECK
Every web page must include a descriptive <title> that clearly reflects its purpose and context.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen readers announce page titles first. Without clear or unique titles, users may get lost or confused about which page they are on.
WHAT WE CHECK
Links must include accessible names that clearly describe their destination or action through visible text, aria-label, or title.
WHY IT MATTERS
Proper language markup ensures accurate pronunciation and translation by assistive technologies. This is confirmed in our ADA checker review.
WHAT WE CHECK
Search fields should include role="search" on their parent element to define an ARIA landmark region.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users can jump directly to the search section using keyboard shortcuts. Verified through our web accessibility checker testing.
WHAT WE CHECK
The <html> element must include a lang attribute to define the primary language of the page.
WHY IT MATTERS
Invalid nesting can confuse assistive technologies and break expected keyboard behavior, making content difficult to use.
WHAT WE CHECK
Text written in a language different from the page's default must use its own lang attribute.
WHY IT MATTERS
Proper language markup ensures accurate pronunciation and translation by assistive technologies. This is confirmed in our ADA checker review.
WHAT WE CHECK
Elements that act like buttons, links, or menus must include correct ARIA roles if not using semantic HTML tags.
WHY IT MATTERS
Without defined roles, screen readers may not detect interactions properly, causing usability issues for people relying on assistive devices.
WHAT WE CHECK
Interactive elements (like links or buttons) must not be nested inside one another unless part of a valid HTML pattern.
WHY IT MATTERS
Invalid nesting can confuse assistive technologies and break expected keyboard behavior, making content difficult to use.
WHAT WE CHECK
Interactive elements must contain visible text or accessible names defined with aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title.
WHY IT MATTERS
Without names or text, users cannot identify the function of buttons or links.
WHAT WE CHECK
Visually hidden interactive elements must include aria-hidden="true" if they are not intended for user interaction.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users may encounter non-functional or decorative elements, leading to confusion. Hiding them properly ensures clarity and focus.
WHAT WE CHECK
Form control labels (<label>) should not contain additional interactive elements such as links or buttons, other than the implicitly associated form control. Additional interactive elements make it difficult for users to activate the form input associated with the label.
WHY IT MATTERS
When a label contains multiple interactive elements, it creates confusion about what will be activated when users click or tap. Screen reader users may not understand which element they are interacting with, and keyboard users may have difficulty navigating between the label's form control and other interactive elements.
WHAT WE CHECK
When a menu or list item contains a submenu, the clickable element that opens it (such as a button or link) must have the aria-haspopup attribute to inform assistive technology users that activating it will reveal additional options.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users need to know when an item has a submenu before activating it. Without aria-haspopup, users may be surprised by unexpected navigation changes or miss nested content entirely. This is especially critical in navigation menus where submenus open on hover or click.
WHAT WE CHECK
Elements with role="listbox" must contain one or more descendant elements with role="option". This establishes the proper parent-child relationship required for assistive technologies to understand and navigate the listbox structure.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users rely on the proper ARIA structure to understand available options in a listbox. Without option descendants, assistive technologies cannot communicate the selectable items to users, making the listbox unusable for people with disabilities.
WHAT WE CHECK
Elements with role="option" can only contain text and must not include interactive elements such as links, buttons, or other focusable elements. All descendants of option elements are automatically treated as presentational.
WHY IT MATTERS
When an option contains interactive elements like links, those elements lose their semantics and functionality for screen reader users. The accessibility API cannot represent semantic elements within an option, making nested interactive elements inaccessible.
WHAT WE CHECK
Form elements (<form> or [role="form"]) create form landmarks that must have programmatically determinable accessible names through aria-label, aria-labelledby, or title attributes.
WHY IT MATTERS
Form landmarks without accessible names cannot be properly identified by assistive technologies. Screen reader users navigating by landmarks will hear "form" without any context about the form's purpose, making it difficult to distinguish between multiple forms or understand what each form is for.
WHAT WE CHECK
The <summary> element itself is interactive (it functions as a disclosure button for <details> elements). Placing interactive elements like links, buttons, or form controls inside a <summary> creates nested interactive contexts that break keyboard navigation.
WHY IT MATTERS
When a summary element contains interactive descendants, those nested elements will not be consistently accessible to people navigating by keyboard or using assistive technology. The summary element itself captures click and keyboard events to toggle the details element, preventing reliable access to nested interactive elements.
WHAT WE CHECK
When a list item or menu item contains a submenu, the interactive element that opens it must have aria-expanded="true" when the submenu is visible and aria-expanded="false" when hidden. This value must update dynamically to reflect the current state.
WHY IT MATTERS
Screen reader users cannot visually see whether a submenu is expanded or collapsed. Without accurate aria-expanded state, users do not know if submenus are open, may activate already-expanded items thinking they are collapsed, or navigate away thinking there is no more content when submenus are actually open.

From static scans to smart website testing

Our web accessibility checker does not stop at surface code. It opens menus, clicks buttons, and reveals hidden content that standard scanners miss, exposing real accessibility issues across your website.

1
The Challenge
2
The Limitation
3
Tabnav Solution
4
The Result
Step 1: The Challenge

Interactive websites are never static

Modern websites load menus, banners, and sections only after interaction. A basic accessibility scan misses these dynamic elements, leaving key barriers undetected.

Step 2: The Limitation

What most accessibility checkers miss

Standard tools scan only visible HTML. They overlook hidden components loaded after scrolling or clicking, giving a false sense of full compliance.

Step 3: The Tabnav Solution

Smarter Accessibility Detection

Our WCAG checker actively interacts with your website to expose issues inside dynamic content, drop-downs, and injected sections. This advanced method finds errors traditional checkers can't see.

Step 4: The Result

More Accurate Accessibility Reports

Get deeper insights and see how your website truly performs for users of assistive technologies - verified through our ADA checker for reliable, actionable results.

Check Your Website for Free

Check your website for free and uncover hidden accessibility issues traditional tools don't detect.

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Start Free Scan

Expert guidance and data-driven insights on web accessibility

The tabnav blog shares practical WCAG resources, accessibility testing insights, and compliance guidance, informed by real audits and industry research.

FAQs About the Web Accessibility Checker

Here are some of the most common questions people ask about accessibility testing, audits, and online accessibility checkers.

  • It scans your website to detect accessibility barriers that affect people with disabilities. The checker tests your pages against WCAG 2.1 AA guidelines and highlights issues like missing alt text, low contrast, and unlabeled form fields.

  • Accessibility testing ensures your website is usable by everyone, including visitors who rely on assistive technologies. It helps you meet WCAG and ADA requirements, improves overall usability, and lowers legal risk.

  • Just enter your website URL in the checker and start a free scan. Within seconds, you'll get a detailed report showing your accessibility score and easy-to-follow steps to fix issues.

  • You'll see your overall score, a summary of problems by category-like navigation, forms, images, and color contrast-and practical guidance on how to fix them.

  • It's best to test your website every few months or after any design or content update. Regular testing helps you stay compliant and maintain an accessible experience for all users.

  • Yes. Many accessibility best practices-such as using proper headings, alt text, and clear structure-also support SEO and improve user engagement.

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