Rule: Page must use language code

Rule ID Language 1
Conformance Required
Definition Page must define the language of its principal content using a valid IANA language code.
Purpose
  • Assistive technologies like screen readers and other speech output technologies need to know the languages represented by the characters in order to speak the text content correctly.
Conformance Required
WCAG Success Criteria

Success Criterion 3.1.1 Language of Page

Other Related Success Criterion:

Rule Category Color/Content
Rule Scope Page
Techniques
  • Use the lang attribute on the html or xhtml element to define the principal language of the web page.
  • Use the IANA codes to identify the principal language (e.g. en, fr, ...).
Information Links