WCAG Guideline 3.3.3: Error Suggestion 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 3.3.3 Error Suggestion?
"If an input error is automatically detected and suggestions for correction are known, then the suggestions are provided to the user."
Guideline 3.3.3 requires that when a user makes a mistake in a form or input, and the system knows how to fix it, a helpful suggestion is provided.
- Helps users correct mistakes quickly and easily
- Essential for users with cognitive, visual, or learning disabilities
- Applies to all forms, inputs, and user data entry
For more, see BOIA: Tips for Meeting WCAG’s Requirement for Error Suggestion .
Why Does It Matter?
- All Users: Need clear feedback to correct mistakes
- Screen Reader Users: Rely on text descriptions of errors and suggestions
- Accessibility: Reduces frustration and improves success rates
For more, see W3C’s guidance on Error Suggestion .
What Needs Error Suggestions?
- All forms and input fields
- Any user data entry that can be validated
- Suggestions must be clear, specific, and in text
How to Meet Guideline 3.3.3
- Provide a text suggestion describing how to fix the problem
- Identify the specific field or item in error
- Avoid using only color or icons to indicate suggestions
- Test with screen readers and accessibility tools
For more, see the W3C's Error Suggestion Techniques .
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using only color or icons to indicate suggestions
- Not describing the suggestion in text
- Failing to identify the specific field in error
Differences Between A, AA, and AAA for Guideline 3.3.3 in WCAG 2.2
- Level A: Requires error suggestions in text when known.
- Level AA: No additional requirements for 3.3.3.
- Level AAA: No additional requirements for 3.3.3.
For more, see the W3C’s official documentation for 3.3.3 Error Suggestion .
Quick Checklist
- All input errors have suggestions in text when known
- Suggestions are clear and specific
- The field in error is clearly indicated
- Tested with screen readers and accessibility tools
Summary
Guideline 3.3.3 ensures that users can fix mistakes in forms and inputs with helpful, accessible suggestions.
Helpful suggestions lead to confident users—make your error messages actionable!