Provide alternative text for all meaningful images
Accessibility isn’t only about avoiding violations — it’s about ensuring your product can be used confidently by everyone. This guide explains the principle of this rule, shows what goes wrong in real-world code, and provides a verified fix that meets WCAG and the European Accessibility Act (EAA).
Why this matters and how to fix it
Why this matters
Screen readers cannot interpret images. Without alternative text, users who are blind or have low vision miss important information or context. Alt text ensures all users can understand the purpose of the image.
How to fix this issue
Add a concise and meaningful `alt` attribute describing the image’s purpose. If an image is decorative, use an empty alt (`alt=""`).
Developer guidance
Avoid generic descriptions like 'image' or 'photo'. If an image contains text, include that text in the alt. Test by disabling images — the page should still make sense.
Code examples
Incorrect Implementation
<img src='chart.png'>Correct Implementation
<img src='chart.png' alt='Bar chart showing sales increase of 25% in Q2'>
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