This is a DRAFT resource that supports Working Drafts of WCAG 3. Content in this resource is not mature and should not be considered authoritative. It may be changed, replaced or removed at any time.

Silver

🔙 WCAG 3.0 (Silver) Guidelines (Structured content)

Structured content

Use headings, sections, and sub-headings to organize your text.

Summary

Headings organize content on a section of a web pagetext, images, application controls, and other types of content. A section is a self-contained portion of content that deals with one or more related topics or thoughts.

Types of content that may use a heading (Content may be presented individually or in a connected group):

  • Documents
  • Web pages
  • eBooks
  • Paragraphs
  • Lists
  • Subsections
  • Images
  • Multimedia
  • Application controls

Form fields, menus and checkboxes are not headings. For more information on using these components, please see [TOD} user interface components.

Why

  • Headings help people understand and navigate what you write.
  • Headings make it easier to find updated content.
  • Users find it easier to scan material with clear marked headings.
  • Headings allow readers to skim longer passages of text and choose which parts they want to read.

Who it helps

  • Visually impaired and blind people use headings to navigate sections.
  • People with cognitive disabilities use headings to understand how writers organize their thoughts.
  • People who use keyboard navigation use headings to jump to content they want to read.
  • All readers benefit from clear organization and navigation, especially when their time and energy are limited.

How

  • Organize your text into sections and give each of them a heading.
  • Be sure the heading gives structure and context to its related content.
  • Write headings that clearly and concisely describe the topic in the subsequent content.
  • Use subheadings to organize content within sections.
  • Include headings and subheadings in site maps and table of contents.
  • Use chapters — like a printed book — for longer blocks of text.

Change Log

{list of non-editorial changes by date}
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