WCAG 1.1.1 Non-text Content explained
By WCAGCLEAR Nerds. Published , updated .
Short answer: WCAG 1.1.1 requires a text alternative for non-text content such as images, icons and charts, so screen reader users get the same information. Decorative images should have empty alt text so screen readers skip them. Missing alt text appeared on 53.1% of home pages in WebAIM's 2026 study.
What does 1.1.1 require?
All non-text content presented to the user needs a text alternative that serves the same purpose. Informative images need alt text that conveys their meaning, image links and buttons need text that says what they do, and complex images like charts need a longer description nearby. It is a Level A criterion.
When should alt text be empty?
Use an empty alt attribute, written alt="", when an image is purely decorative or its information is already in nearby text. Screen readers then skip it. Do not leave the alt attribute out entirely, because some screen readers will read the file name instead.
How do I write good alt text?
Describe the purpose, not just the pixels. Ask what the image tells a sighted visitor and say that in a short phrase. For a linked logo, name the destination, such as Home. W3C's alt decision tree walks through common cases.
Frequently asked questions
- Is AI-generated alt text good enough?
- It can be a starting draft, but a person should check it. Automated text often describes the image without knowing why it is on the page.
Check your own page
Run a free scan to see which of these issues appear on your site.
Check a siteSources
- Understanding Success Criterion 1.1.1: Non-text Content, W3C WAI
- An alt Decision Tree, W3C WAI
- The WebAIM Million: 2026 report, WebAIM
This guide is educational and is not legal advice. Talk to an attorney about your legal obligations.