WCAG 2.2 AA checklist: the practical version
Updated 2026-06-19 · WebX Auditor
WCAG 2.2 Level AA is the current accessibility target for the ADA, EAA, Section 508 and GIGW. This checklist covers the high-impact, commonly-failed criteria — contrast, alt text, form labels, headings, keyboard access, visible focus and (new in 2.2) target size and accessible authentication — and how to verify each. Automated scans catch much of this; the rest needs a quick manual pass.
Perceivable
- 1.1.1 Alt text — every meaningful image has a text alternative.
- 1.4.3 Contrast — text contrast ≥ 4.5:1 (3:1 for large text).
- 1.4.10 Reflow — content reflows at 320px without horizontal scroll.
Operable
- 2.1.1 Keyboard — all functionality works via keyboard.
- 2.4.7 Focus visible — the focused element is clearly indicated.
- 2.5.8 Target size (new in 2.2) — interactive targets are at least 24×24 CSS px.
Understandable
- 3.3.2 Labels — form inputs have programmatic labels.
- 3.3.8 Accessible authentication (new in 2.2) — don’t force a cognitive test (e.g. transcribing) to log in.
Robust
- 4.1.2 Name, role, value — custom controls expose correct semantics to assistive tech.
How to verify quickly
Run the free WCAG 2.2 checker for the automatable criteria, then do a 10-minute manual pass: tab through the page, check focus visibility, and try it with a screen reader.
Frequently asked questions
What changed in WCAG 2.2?
WCAG 2.2 adds nine success criteria (focus appearance, dragging, target size, accessible authentication, consistent help, redundant entry) and removes 4.1.1 Parsing. It is backward-compatible with 2.1.
What level should I target?
Level AA — it’s what the ADA, EAA, Section 508 and GIGW reference.