Perceivable · Level AAA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 1.4.8: Visual Presentation
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
At Level AAA, readers can control several aspects of text presentation: colors, line width, alignment, spacing and resizing behavior. The aim is readable blocks of text that can adapt to individual needs.
A practical example
A long policy page offers a reading view with user-selected colors, a narrow left-aligned column and generous spacing. Increasing text size does not force horizontal scrolling to read a line in a full-screen window.
How to check it
- Check mechanisms for selecting foreground/background colors and limiting lines to 80 characters or glyphs, or 40 for CJK.
- Verify non-justified alignment, at least 1.5 line spacing and paragraph spacing at least 1.5 times line spacing.
- Resize to 200 percent and review the criterion's horizontal-scrolling condition while using the available presentation settings.
What can be missed
This is a collection of presentation conditions, not merely a font-size control. Document the mechanism used to meet each condition, including any supported browser or reader customization.
Record your test
Use this worksheet to record what you actually checked. Notes stay on this device when you choose Save; they are not sent to us. Avoid personal or confidential information on shared devices.
These are your observations, not automated results or a conformance certificate. A complete evaluation needs appropriate scope, supported technologies, all applicable criteria and relevant page states.
Primary sources and scope
This is independent implementation guidance with original examples. The linked standard contains the full definitions, exceptions and conformance requirements. A criterion or checklist alone does not establish legal applicability or whole-site conformance.