Abbreviations on a web page must be clearly described to ensure that all users can understand their meaning. This can be achieved in the following ways:
<abbr>
element to provide a tooltip with the full term.This ensures that users who are unfamiliar with the abbreviation can fully comprehend the content.
Some users may not recognize abbreviations. This applies especially to the following:
For example, all users might not understand that WCAG refers to Web Content Accessibility Guidelines unless it is expanded or described.
This section provides some pass and fail examples of this check.
Expanded abbreviation on first use
Implementation:
<p>The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) define accessibility standards for digital content.</p>
<p>According to WCAG 2.1, websites must be perceivable, operable, understandable, and robust.</p>
Use of the <abbr>
element
Implementation:
<p>The <abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> is a global health organization.</p>
Provide a glossary of abbreviations
Implementation:
<h2>Glossary</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>SEO</strong>: Search Engine Optimization</li>
<li><strong>UX</strong>: User Experience</li>
</ul>
An abbreviation without explanation
<p>The WCAG requires websites to be accessible.</p>
Fix:
Expand the abbreviation the first time it appears:
<p>The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) require websites to be accessible.</p>
Abbreviations in an accessibility-related context without support for screen readers
<p>The WHO published new health guidelines.</p>
Fix:
Use the <abbr>
tag:
<p>The <abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> published new health guidelines.</p>
This section provides instructions on how to review and fix this issue.
<abbr>
element for tooltip descriptions.Expand abbreviations when they are used for the first time.
Example:
Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Use the <abbr>
element.
Example:
<abbr title="User Experience">UX</abbr>
Provide a glossary.
Example:
A list of abbreviations with explanations at the end of the page.
If this content did not answer your questions, try searching or contacting our support team for further assistance.
Fri Apr 25 2025 07:20:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)