WCAG 3.3.1: Error Identification
Back to all WCAG criteriaOVERVIEW
Effort:
- Complexity:Easy
- Duration:Fast
Important for:
Design, Development
To WCAG:
3.3.1 Error IdentificationWhat's it about?
If an input error occurs in a form, the error must be described to the user in text form.
How to
Depending on your situation, you can implement one of the following options to meet the criterion. For a deeper dive, please refer to the linked WCAG techniques.
Display errors in text form
If a user leaves a required field empty or enters something incorrectly, an error message must be displayed in text form.
The error message should be placed close to the faulty field. It can be part of the label or displayed below the form field. If it is visually and in the code positioned below the field, it must be programmatically associated with the field. This ensures that screen reader users receive the information as soon as they navigate to the faulty field.
Options for technical association include ARIA attributes (typically aria-describedby).

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