Text alternatives · WCAG 2.0 Level A
Images must have alternative text
Ensure <img> elements have alternative text or a role of none or presentation.
What it means
The image-alt rule flags elements that fail this check. It maps to WCAG success criterion 1.1.1.
Who it affects
People who are blind or have low vision and use screen readers, and anyone whose images fail to load.
How to fix it
Add an alt attribute to every <img>. Describe what the image communicates in context; use alt="" for purely decorative images.
<img src="team.jpg" alt="Our five-person support team in the office">
<img src="divider.svg" alt="">Check it on your site
Run a free scan. If this rule fails, the results list the affected elements. Deque, which maintains axe-core, also documents this rule in detail: Deque University: image-alt.
Quick answers
What does the axe rule "image-alt" check?
Ensure <img> elements have alternative text or a role of none or presentation.
How do I fix "Images must have alternative text"?
Add an alt attribute to every <img>. Describe what the image communicates in context; use alt="" for purely decorative images.
Who is affected by image-alt failures?
People who are blind or have low vision and use screen readers, and anyone whose images fail to load.
Automated accessibility scan. Results are informational and may not identify every accessibility issue. This service is not legal advice, a compliance certification, or a substitute for comprehensive manual accessibility testing.