Understandable · Level AA · Introduced in WCAG 2.0
WCAG 3.3.3: Error Suggestion
Published by whatisADA / Grow Wild Agency · Updated
What this criterion means
When automatically detected input errors have known corrections, suggest how to fix them unless doing so would compromise security or the content's purpose. A diagnosis and a repair instruction solve different problems.
A practical example
A booking rejects an arrival date because it is before today. State “Choose today or a later date” so the visitor knows how to correct it rather than repeatedly guessing at the accepted format.
How to check it
- Trigger errors for formats, ranges and incompatible selections.
- Check whether the system knows a useful correction and whether it communicates that correction.
- Verify that suggestions remain accurate for the current state and do not reveal protected account or security information.
What can be missed
A password-recovery page may intentionally avoid revealing whether an account exists. Apply the security exception carefully while still giving safe, usable recovery instructions.
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.