How do I check if my website is accessible?

Run an automated scan to catch the common technical faults, then do a short manual test with your keyboard, zoom and a screen reader. Automated tools find only part of the problems, so the manual pass matters. The reference standard is the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) from the W3C.

Why it matters

Accessibility means people with visual, hearing, motor or cognitive differences can use your site. Many accessibility fixes, such as clear headings, readable contrast and labelled form fields, help everyone, including people on small screens or in bright light. This page gives technical guidance and is not legal advice.

How to check

Run an automated test. Use Lighthouse in Chrome developer tools, or a browser extension built on the axe engine. It reports missing alt text, low contrast, missing form labels and similar issues.
Tab through the page. Put the mouse aside and press Tab. Can you reach every link, button and form field? Is there a visible focus outline? Can you open and close menus with the keyboard?
Zoom to 200 percent. Check that text stays readable and nothing is cut off or overlaps. Make sure the page does not stop you from zooming.
Check contrast. Body text needs enough contrast against its background. WCAG sets minimum ratios, and tools show the ratio for any colour pair.
Check images and forms. Every meaningful image needs alt text, and every form field needs a label tied to it.
Listen with a screen reader. Try the built-in one on your device, such as VoiceOver or Narrator, for a few minutes on the home page and a form.
Check structure. One main heading, headings in order, and landmarks such as header, main and navigation.

<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input id="email" type="email" name="email" autocomplete="email">

Write down what you find, fix the issues that block key tasks first, then re-test.

Common mistakes

Treating a high automated score as proof the site is accessible.
Relying on colour alone to show errors or status.
Hiding the focus outline for looks.
Using placeholder text in place of a label.
Blocking zoom with the viewport tag.

Crawvix's scan checks text contrast, image alt text, form field and link names, page landmarks and a skip link, page zoom and a keyboard and focus test.

Frequently asked questions

Can an automated tool test everything?

No. It finds technical faults that can be detected by code, but it cannot judge whether alt text is helpful or a flow makes sense.

Which WCAG level should I aim for?

WCAG 2.2 level AA is the level most commonly named in policies and requirements. Check what applies to your situation.

Does accessibility help SEO?

Several practices overlap, such as headings, alt text and clear links. Google does not present accessibility itself as a ranking factor.

For a first look at your own pages, Try the free website sample.