Website accessibility (WCAG) checklist
A practical accessibility checklist for the most common WCAG 2.2 Level AA requirements. Built for designers and developers shipping production websites, not lawyers writing audits.
Color & contrast
0 / 5Keyboard
0 / 6Screen reader
0 / 7Forms
0 / 5Media
0 / 4Structure & semantics
0 / 5How to use this tool
- 1Run through each section as you build, not at the end.
- 2For visual checks, use a real keyboard and screen reader (VoiceOver on macOS, NVDA on Windows).
- 3Copy as markdown for an audit log or accessibility statement.
About this tool
WCAG covers a lot of ground, but a small set of issues account for most failures: insufficient color contrast, missing alt text, keyboard traps, unlabeled form inputs, and focus order. This checklist focuses on those, plus the practical tests you can run without specialized tooling.
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Frequently asked questions
Is this enough to be WCAG 2.2 AA compliant?
It covers the most-failed criteria, but a full WCAG 2.2 AA audit has ~50 success criteria. Use this for ongoing development; commission a formal audit if you need legal or VPAT-level compliance.
How do I test contrast quickly?
Use the contrast checker in this tools collection, or browser devtools (Chrome and Firefox both highlight insufficient contrast inline). Aim for 4.5:1 on body text.
Do I really need to test with a screen reader?
Yes. Automated tools catch maybe 30% of accessibility issues. The rest (wrong reading order, broken focus management, confusing button labels) are only obvious when you actually use a screen reader.
What WCAG version is this for?
WCAG 2.2 Level AA, the standard most regulations (ADA, EAA, AODA) reference. The 2.2 additions over 2.1 include focus appearance and dragging movement requirements.