Alt text
Also called: Alternative text, Accessibility label
A text description of an image that screen readers read aloud.
Definition
Meaningful images need alt text describing their content or purpose; decorative images should have empty alt text so screen readers skip them. Testers check with a screen reader or by inspecting the HTML.
In practice
A product photo announced as "IMG_4821.jpg" instead of "Red running shoes, side view" is an accessibility bug.
Learn it in context
Lessons that use this term.
Related terms
- Screen readerSoftware that reads the screen aloud for blind and low-vision users, like VoiceOver or TalkBack.
- WCAGThe Web Content Accessibility Guidelines, the main international standard for accessibility.
- ARIAHTML attributes that tell assistive technology what custom elements are and what state they're in.