OpenA11y Evaluation Library

Author sizing of links (Enhanced)

Rule ID Target Size 2
Conformance Recommended
Definition Author sizing of links have at least the dimensions of 44 by 44 CSS pixels, unless it meets one of the four exceptions.
Purpose
  • The intent of this success criterion is to help users who may have trouble activating a small target because of hand tremors, limited dexterity or other reasons. If the target is too small, it may be difficult to aim at the target.
  • Mice and similar pointing devices can be hard to use for these users, and a larger target will help them greatly in having positive outcomes on the web page.
  • Exception (common) Inline: When links are in sentences (e.g. part of a paragraph), the target size requirement does not apply, unless the author has specifically defined the width or height using CSS.
  • Exception(common) User Agent Control: If the size of the target is not modified by the author through CSS or other size properties, then the target does not need to meet the target size of 44 by 44 CSS pixels.
  • Exception (uncommon) Equivalent Target Exception: If there is more than one target on a screen that performs the same action, only one of the targets need to meet the target size of 44 by 44 CSS pixels.
  • Exception (uncommon) Essential Exception: If the target is required to be a particular target size and cannot be provided in another way.
Conformance Recommended
WCAG Success Criteria

Success Criterion 2.5.5 Target Size

Other Related Success Criterion:

Rule Category Links
Rule Scope Element
First Step no
Techniques
  • Remove author styling of the rendered size of the link, allowing the browser to render the link using the preferences of the user.
  • If the link does not meet one of the exceptions, increase the author defined dimensions to at least 44 by 44 pixels.
Information Links