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All WCAG Criteria
1.4.5
AA

Images of Text

Perceivable › 1.4 Distinguishable › WCAG 2.0

Overview

If the technologies being used can achieve the visual presentation, text is used to convey information rather than images of text except for customizable and essential images.

Understanding

The W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) provides detailed guidance on understanding and implementing this criterion. The Understanding document covers the intent, benefits, and supporting techniques in depth.

Read Understanding 1.4.5 on W3C WAI

Techniques

W3C provides documented techniques for meeting this criterion. Each technique links to the full specification with code examples and test procedures.

How to Test

  1. Identify the specific content or feature this criterion applies to on the page.

  2. Verify the content is accessible to users who cannot perceive it in its default modality.

  3. Test with assistive technology (screen reader, screen magnifier) to confirm accessibility.

  4. Check that no information is conveyed solely through visual means.

How VPATify tests this

VPATify runs automated WCAG checks against every page you scan and flags violations against individual success criteria. Our deep scan combines axe-core, contrast analysis, and structural checks to catch criterion-level failures that single-tool scans miss. See the full testing methodology and features for what's covered at each level.

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