WCAG 1.1.1 · Level A
How do I write good alt text for WCAG?
Give every meaningful image a text alternative that conveys its purpose, not its appearance. Decorative images get empty alt (`alt=""`) so screen readers skip them. WCAG 1.1.1 (Level A) requires this for all non-text content.
What it is
Alt text is the text alternative read aloud by screen readers in place of an image.
Why it matters
Blind and low-vision users rely on alt text to understand images. Missing or meaningless alt text erases that content for them.
How to fix it
- 01For meaningful images, describe the information or function the image conveys, concisely.
- 02Mark purely decorative images as decorative so assistive tech ignores them.
- 03Never use the file name, and don't start with 'image of' — the screen reader already says that.
How Aulys catches it
Aulys flags images and icons that imply content but carry no text alternative, and surfaces where a decorative mark should be hidden.
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