Operable · Level A · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 2.2.2: Pause, Stop, Hide
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
Give users control over qualifying automatic movement and updates. Movement that starts automatically, lasts over five seconds and appears alongside other content generally needs pause, stop or hide; automatic updates have their own conditions.
A practical example
A testimonial carousel changes slides while someone reads a signup form. Add a persistent pause control and keep it paused until the person chooses otherwise. A live results panel can also let users control update frequency.
How to check it
- Identify moving, blinking, scrolling and automatically refreshing information presented with other content.
- Check the duration and trigger for movement, and the separate conditions for auto-updates.
- Operate the pause, stop, hide or update-frequency control and verify that the page remains usable afterward.
What can be missed
Hover-only pausing is not sufficient for every user. Do not apply the five-second movement threshold to exempt auto-updating information; the criterion treats those cases separately.
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.