WCAG Checker

Is Your Website Truly Accessible — or Just Barely Compliant?

Most websites fail accessibility tests not due to negligence, but because the standards are nuanced and ever-evolving. That’s where we come in.

WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) defines how to make websites more accessible for people with disabilities. While WCAG itself isn’t a law, it forms the foundation of regulations like the  ADA (U.S.), AODA (Canada), and EN 301 549 (EU).

BrowserStack’s free WCAG checker helps you stay ahead by testing your site against WCAG 2.0, 2.1, and 2.2. Just enter a URL to receive a detailed report outlining issues, severity levels, and actionable suggestions to help you meet global accessibility standards—fast and for free.

What is WCAG?

WCAG stands for Web Content Accessibility Guidelines. It is a technical standard maintained by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and addresses challenges faced by people with visual, hearing, motor, and cognitive disabilities. 

WCAG is used by developers, designers, QA teams, and compliance officers to identify and fix barriers across websites, apps, and user interfaces. 

Common WCAG requirements include:

• Providing alt text for all non-text content
• Ensuring sufficient color contrast between text and background
• Making all functionality available via keyboard
• Using clear and descriptive labels for form fields and buttons
• Avoiding flashing content that can trigger seizures
• Maintaining logical heading structure and focus order
• Providing error messages and suggestions for form inputs
• Ensuring consistent navigation and layout across pages

WCAG Versions and Compliance Levels

WCAG is updated periodically to reflect how people use technology and where accessibility gaps exist. It’s also structured with levels of compliance, which define how strict or complete your accessibility efforts need to be. To understand how the guidelines work, you must look at both- versions and levels.

WCAG Versions

Each version builds on the previous one by adding new requirements.

WCAG 2.0 (2008)

This version introduced the core structure of the guidelines based on the four principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust. It defined 61 success criteria across levels A, AA, and AAA. 

WCAG 2.0 set the foundation for modern accessibility but lacked support for mobile-specific challenges and some cognitive considerations.

It includes requirements like:

• Text alternatives for non-text content
• Proper use of headings and structure
• Keyboard accessibility
• Sufficient color contrast
• Clear navigation and error handling

WCAG 2.1 (2018)

This version is built on WCAG 2.0 and added 17 new success criteria to better support mobile accessibility, users with low vision, and people with cognitive or learning disabilities.

Notable additions include:

• Responsive input handling (e.g., orientation changes, reflow)
• Touch target sizing
• Keyboard shortcuts that don’t interfere with screen reader usage
• Text spacing and improved readability
• Enhanced contrast for non-text UI elements

WCAG 2.2 (2023)

This version added 9 more success criteria, with a stronger focus on usability and interaction. It aims to close gaps in navigation, focus visibility, and authentication processes.

New criteria include:

• Clear focus indicators so users navigating by keyboard don’t lose track
• Larger click/tap targets to support users with limited motor control
• Simplified authentication options for users with cognitive impairments (e.g., not requiring object recognition or puzzles)

WCAG Compliance Levels

While WCAG tells you what to fix, the WCAG compliance levels dictate the extent of adherence required. The levels help you prioritize accessibility work based on impact, effort, and legal or policy expectations. 

Level A

This is the minimum level of conformance. It addresses only the most critical barriers that would prevent access entirely. If a site fails Level A, many users with disabilities simply cannot use it.

It includes requirements like:

• Text alternatives for images
• Keyboard-only navigation
• Avoiding content that flashes or blinks
• Providing labels for form fields

Level AA

This is the most commonly targeted level in most accessibility policies. It covers issues that affect usability and understanding for a wider group of users. Level AA is generally considered the standard for being “accessibility compliant.”

It includes all Level A requirements plus:

• Minimum contrast ratios for text
• Visible focus indicators
• Consistent navigation and structure
• Error suggestions in forms

Level AAA

This level includes stricter and more detailed requirements. In most cases, it is not required for full-site compliance because many AAA criteria are difficult to meet for every component and type of content.

It includes:

• Higher contrast ratios
• Sign language interpretation for videos
• Descriptions for complex visuals
• Flexible presentation of content (e.g., simpler layout options)

WCAG Principles

A WCAG audit or checker evaluates issues based on the four core principles: Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, and Robust.

Here’s what gets tested:

1. Perceivable (Can users detect the content?)

Content must be available to at least one sense: sight or hearing. This means checking for: 

• Missing or incorrect alt text on images
• Captions and transcripts for audio or video
• Use of headings and landmarks for screen reader navigation
• Insufficient color contrast between text and background

2. Operable (Can users interact with it?)

All functionality must be usable by keyboard and assistive tools. This includes: 

• Keyboard-only access to all interactive elements
• Logical focus order when navigating by keyboard
• Visible focus indicators on buttons, links, and form fields
• Avoiding elements that trigger seizures (e.g., flashing content)

3. Understandable (Is the interface predictable and clear?)

Information and UI must be clear and predictable. This includes: 

• Clear and consistent navigation patterns
• Labels for all form fields and input elements
• Meaningful error messages and suggestions for correction
• Avoiding unexpected behavior like auto-submission or sudden changes

4. Robust (Can assistive tech reliably interpret the content?)

The content should work reliably across browsers, devices, and assistive technologies like screen readers. This includes: 

• Correct use of HTML semantics (headings, lists, tables, etc.)
• Proper label-input associations in forms
• Elements that work across browsers and assistive technologies like screen readers
• No duplicate or broken ARIA labels and attributes

Why Should You Be WCAG-Compliant?

WCAG compliance ensures your website or app can be used by people with disabilities, including those who rely on screen readers, keyboard navigation, or other assistive tools.

Here are some more benefits of being WCAG compliant. 

• Improves accessibility: WCAG removes barriers for people with visual, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments so they can access content and complete tasks independently.
• Reduces legal risk: Many countries require WCAG compliance under their accessibility laws. Non-compliance can lead to lawsuits, penalties, or investigations.
• Improves user experience: Features like clear structure, readable content, and keyboard-friendly navigation improve usability for all users.
• Boosts SEO and performance: Sites that follow WCAG tend to have cleaner code, better structure, and faster load times, which support search rankings and usability

• Builds trust: Prioritizing accessibility shows that your business values inclusion and user trust, and also helps you reach a wider audience and avoid negative press.

What Happens if Your Website is Not WCAG Compliant?

WCAG is not a law, but it is the technical standard most laws refer to when defining digital accessibility. Failing to meet WCAG can result in fines, lawsuits, and regulatory enforcement depending on where your business operates. 

1. United States

In the US, websites that do not comply with WCAG can be considered in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and will be fined accordingly. 

• First violation: Up to $75,000
• Repeat violations: Up to $150,000 per incident

Here are some companies that faced legal action or settlements for failing to meet WCAG standards:

• Nike (2017): Nike was sued in 2017 (via class action) for failing to make its websites, including Nike.com and Converse.com, accessible to blind and visually impaired users. The complaint cited missing alt text, lack of keyboard navigability, and compatibility issues with screen readers, alleging violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Nike settled the lawsuit and agreed to bring its digital properties into WCAG compliance.
• Etsy (2022): In 2022, Etsy faced a class-action lawsuit alleging that its platform was inaccessible to blind users, citing issues such as missing alt text, improper heading hierarchy, and inadequate screen reader support. While the case is still pending, it sparked significant discussions about accessibility standards and compliance in e-commerce.

2. European Union

In the EU, the European Accessibility Act (EAA) requires WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance for many digital products and services sold in the market. Member states decide enforcement rules individually, meaning fines vary across countries. 

• In France, fines can reach up to €250,000 per offense
• In Italy, penalties can reach 5% of annual turnover or €40,000
• In Germany, serious violations can result in fines up to €500,000

Here are some companies that faced legal consequences for failing to meet accessibility standards:

• Vueling Airlines (Spain): Fined €90,000 in 2024 by Spain’s National Court for having a website that lacked keyboard navigation, ARIA labels, and basic screen-reader support. The airline was also barred from receiving public funding for six months.
• Swisscom (Switzerland): Switzerland, though not part of the EU, enforces accessibility through standards comparable to the EAA. Swisscom was fined CHF 40,000 after its customer portal was found incompatible with assistive technologies. The company was also required to implement accessibility upgrades to meet compliance. 

3. United Kingdom

Under the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Bodies (Websites and Mobile Applications) Accessibility Regulations 2018, WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliance is required for public sector sites and apps. Fines for violations typically range from £1,000 to £5,000 per incident, though more serious or repeated cases may incur higher penalties. 

Here are some UK-based cases where companies or public services faced enforcement:

• Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) application website: In 2021, a blind student received a £5,000 settlement after being unable to complete a DSA application due to website accessibility barriers.
• Health and Social Care Northern Ireland (HSCNI): In 2023, a blind user settled for £3,000 after being unable to access the online recruitment portal. The case highlighted public sector non-compliance and triggered a broader review of digital services.

Additional risks include:

• Civil lawsuits: Individuals can sue if they face barriers when using your site, leading to legal costs and possible settlements.
• Enforcement orders: Regulators may demand fixes by a specific deadline, and failure may result in further penalties.
• Brand and market impact: Accessibility violations can hurt consumer trust and damage brand reputation.
• Business restrictions: Non-compliance may disqualify your business from bidding on public sector contracts or serving enterprise clients.

What is a WCAG Accessibility Checker?

A WCAG accessibility checker is a tool that scans websites or web applications to detect issues that may violate the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). 

WCAG compliance checker analyzes elements like page structure, contrast, keyboard navigation, form labels, alt text, focus order, and semantic HTML. It then generates a report highlighting which WCAG success criteria are failing, their severity, and guidance on how to fix them.

Key Features of BrowserStack WCAG Checker

BrowserStack’s free WCAG Checker provides the core tools needed to detect, review, and track accessibility issues on your website.

Here are the key features of BrowserStack WCAG Accessibility Checker: 

• Assisted test for keyboard navigation: Perform a guided check to validate tab order and keyboard accessibility across interactive elements such as buttons, forms, and links.
• Scan up to 5 pages per run: Each website scan can include up to 5 unique pages. This allows you to test different parts of your site in one run, such as the homepage, product page, form page, and confirmation screen, and catch accessibility issues across layouts and user flows.
• Color Contrast Checker: Measures contrast ratios between text and background and validates against WCAG AA and AAA thresholds.
• Real Screen Reader Test: Checks ARIA roles, live regions, and landmarks to ensure screen reader users can navigate and understand content.
• Accessible Name and Description Validation: Ensures that all buttons icons and inputs have proper labels that can be picked up by assistive tech. 
• Central reporting dashboard: View all your accessibility reports in a single dashboard. Reports are organized by scan name, user, and date to help you track what was tested and when.
• Report Comparison: Compare accessibility scan results over time to see which issues have been resolved and spot any new ones that have been introduced.
• Shareable Reports: Generate links to share scan results with team members or stakeholders, even if they don’t have a BrowserStack account.
• Cloud-saved Reports: Every scan result is automatically stored in your BrowserStack account for 60 days. You can revisit, review, or compare reports anytime without manually downloading or saving files.

Try BrowserStack Website Scanner

How to Use BrowserStack WCAG Compliance Checker?

Using the BrowserStack WCAG Checker is quick and does not require any setup or login. Here’s how to use it:

• Step 1: Enter the URL of the website you want to test
• Step 2: Click “Generate Report” to scan the page
• Step 3: View a detailed WCAG report with issue types, severity, and fix recommendations

Understanding Your WCAG Compliance Report

After you run a scan using the BrowserStack WCAG Checker, a detailed accessibility report is generated in the Accessibility Testing Dashboard. This report gives you a complete view of issues across all scanned pages and lets you drill down into each one.

Here’s what you’ll see in the report:

• Scan overview: Displays trends across the last 8 scans, including total issue counts and scan stability over time.
• Accessibility summary: Lists the number of issues found and the number of components affected. Clicking the count opens the detailed report.
• Scan runs: Shows a history of individual scan executions with the option to inspect each run in detail.
• Component-level issues: Groups issues by component, including WCAG criteria, context, and metadata for each.
• Highlighted snapshots: Shows screenshots with the exact component highlighted to help teams locate the issue visually (available on paid plans).
• Search and filtering: Allows you to search by scan name or user and filter results by “All scans” or “My scans.”
• Report sharing: Enables internal sharing through direct links and allows public access through a shareable link.

How to Fix WCAG Issues Found in the Report?

The BrowserStack WCAG scanner report lists issues and gives clear guidance on resolving them. Each issue is tied to a specific WCAG criterion, the affected component, and the severity level. Here’s how to approach fixing them:

• Start with Critical Issues: Prioritize issues marked as high severity. These often block access for users relying on keyboard navigation, screen readers, or assistive devices.
• Use Component-Level Details: Click on the issue to view the affected component. The report shows where the problem exists, describes what’s wrong, and explains why it violates WCAG.
• Refer to the Snapshot (if available): If you’re on a paid plan or trial, use the visual snapshot to see precisely where the issue appears on the page.
• Check the Fix Guidance: Each issue comes with a short explanation of what needs to change. This may include adding labels, increasing contrast, correcting focus behavior, or using proper HTML semantics.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Some issues may require design updates (e.g., color contrast), and others may need frontend code changes (e.g., missing ARIA labels or incorrect tab order). 
• Retest After Fixing: After applying fixes, rerun the scan to confirm the issues are resolved and no regressions have occurred.

Frequently Asked Questions