AccessiTech LLC

WCAG Guideline 3.3.1: Error Identification Explained

Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes

Guideline 3: Understandable

The Understandable principle ensures that users can easily interact with and understand web content, especially when errors occur.

Guideline 3.3: Input Assistance

Guideline 3.3 focuses on helping users avoid and correct mistakes when entering information.

What Is Guideline 3.3.1 Error Identification?

"If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text."

Guideline 3.3.1 requires that when a user makes a mistake in a form or input, the error is clearly identified and described in text.

Helps users recognize and fix mistakes
Essential for users with cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities
Applies to all forms, inputs, and user data entry

For more, see AccessGuide: Identify Errors .

Why Does It Matter?

All Users: Need clear feedback to correct mistakes
Screen Reader Users: Rely on text descriptions of errors
Accessibility: Reduces frustration and improves success rates

For more, see W3C’s guidance on Error Identification .

What Needs to Identify Errors?

All forms and input fields
Any user data entry that can be validated
Error messages must be clear, specific, and in text

How to Meet Guideline 3.3.1

Provide a text error message describing the problem
Identify the specific field or item in error
Avoid using only color or icons to indicate errors
Test with screen readers and accessibility tools

For more, see the W3C's Error Identification Techniques .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using only color or icons to indicate errors
Not describing the error in text
Failing to identify the specific field in error

Differences Between A, AA, and AAA for Guideline 3.3.1 in WCAG 2.2

Level A: Requires error identification and description in text.
Level AA: No additional requirements for 3.3.1.
Level AAA: No additional requirements for 3.3.1.

For more, see the W3C’s official documentation for 3.3.1 Error Identification .

Quick Checklist

All input errors are identified in text
Error messages are clear and specific
The field in error is clearly indicated
Tested with screen readers and accessibility tools

Summary

Guideline 3.3.1 ensures that users can recognize and fix mistakes in forms and inputs. Clear, accessible error messages are essential for a positive user experience.

Clear feedback leads to confident users—make your error messages accessible to all!

AccessiTech LLC

WCAG Guideline 3.3.1: Error Identification Explained

Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes

Guideline 3: Understandable

The Understandable principle ensures that users can easily interact with and understand web content, especially when errors occur.

Guideline 3.3: Input Assistance

Guideline 3.3 focuses on helping users avoid and correct mistakes when entering information.

What Is Guideline 3.3.1 Error Identification?

"If an input error is automatically detected, the item that is in error is identified and the error is described to the user in text."

Guideline 3.3.1 requires that when a user makes a mistake in a form or input, the error is clearly identified and described in text.

Helps users recognize and fix mistakes
Essential for users with cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities
Applies to all forms, inputs, and user data entry

For more, see AccessGuide: Identify Errors .

Why Does It Matter?

All Users: Need clear feedback to correct mistakes
Screen Reader Users: Rely on text descriptions of errors
Accessibility: Reduces frustration and improves success rates

For more, see W3C’s guidance on Error Identification .

What Needs to Identify Errors?

All forms and input fields
Any user data entry that can be validated
Error messages must be clear, specific, and in text

How to Meet Guideline 3.3.1

Provide a text error message describing the problem
Identify the specific field or item in error
Avoid using only color or icons to indicate errors
Test with screen readers and accessibility tools

For more, see the W3C's Error Identification Techniques .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using only color or icons to indicate errors
Not describing the error in text
Failing to identify the specific field in error

Differences Between A, AA, and AAA for Guideline 3.3.1 in WCAG 2.2

Level A: Requires error identification and description in text.
Level AA: No additional requirements for 3.3.1.
Level AAA: No additional requirements for 3.3.1.

For more, see the W3C’s official documentation for 3.3.1 Error Identification .

Quick Checklist

All input errors are identified in text
Error messages are clear and specific
The field in error is clearly indicated
Tested with screen readers and accessibility tools

Summary

Guideline 3.3.1 ensures that users can recognize and fix mistakes in forms and inputs. Clear, accessible error messages are essential for a positive user experience.

Clear feedback leads to confident users—make your error messages accessible to all!