Alternative Text (“alt text”)
We must provide alternative text for images, audio files, videos, and all other non-text elements published online.
- Write appropriate alt text for images:
- When you use a graphic with legible text, the alt text must contain the graphic’s exact text.
- However, when possible, avoid using images of text or graphics with text. People who have low vision and/or use screen magnification software to read text will have a difficult time reading graphics of text because they become pixelated.
- Don’t include the words “image of” or “graphic of” (screen readers already say that the item is an image).
- Sometimes, it’s appropriate to say that a graphic is a drawing, caricature, photograph, diagram, etc.
- With the exception of acronyms, avoid typing your alt text in all caps. This causes some screen readers to spell the words instead of speaking them as words.
- When you use a graphic with legible text, the alt text must contain the graphic’s exact text.
- Sometimes, a graphic doesn't need alt text:
- If an image is decorative or doesn’t convey content, it doesn’t need alt text.
- See 4 Syllables’ “Alt Text Decision Tree” for more help.
- Infographics: If you want to use an infographic, you must provide a complete transcript of the infographic on your page. Enter the transcript in the asset’s transcript field in the CMS.
