Operable / 2.1 Keyboard Accessible

2.1.3Keyboard (No Exception)

Level AAA

Make every function operable via keyboard alone, with no exceptions. Unlike 2.1.1, this stricter AAA criterion does not exempt path-dependent or timing-sensitive interactions such as freehand drawing. Because of this strictness, it is rarely fully achievable and is one of the least commonly targeted AAA criteria.

Note

A detailed commentary for this success criterion is not yet available. In the meantime, this page lists related patterns, techniques, and links to the normative sources.

APG Patterns Related to This Criterion

Correctly implementing these patterns helps meet this success criterion. See each page for implementation details, live demos, and Good / Bad examples.

Accordion
Available
A UI where pressing a heading toggles a panel open or closed. Uses a button with aria-expanded to convey the current state to assistive technologies.
Disclosure
Available
The simplest show/hide pattern, like a "show more" toggle that reveals or hides a single section.
Menu and Menubar
Available
An application-style menu built with role="menu" and related roles, navigated using arrow keys.
Menu Button
Available
A button that opens a menu on activation. Uses aria-haspopup and aria-expanded to convey the relationship.
Link
Available
The fundamental yet nuanced link. Explains why you should use the a element instead of a div with onclick.
Button
Available
The most fundamental control. Covers the built-in accessibility the button element provides and the pitfalls of custom implementations.
Checkbox
Available
An on/off selection control. Also covers handling the indeterminate (mixed) state.
Radio Group
Available
Selects one option from many. A prime example of arrow key navigation with roving tabindex.
Switch
Available
An on/off toggle. Covers the difference from checkbox and how to use role="switch".
Combobox
Available
A text input combined with a suggestion list (autocomplete). One of the most complex patterns in the APG.
Listbox
Available
Selecting from a list of options. Supports single and multi-select with arrow key navigation.
Slider
Available
Selects a value from a range. Uses aria-valuenow/min/max with keyboard operation.
Slider (Multi-Thumb)
Available
Range selection such as price ranges. Key considerations include thumb interaction constraints and labeling.
Spinbutton
Available
A numeric input that increments and decrements via Up/Down keys or buttons, with range announcements.
Tabs
Available
Switches content within the same area. Uses arrow key navigation, aria-selected, and roving tabindex.
Toolbar
Available
Groups a set of buttons so you Tab in once and navigate among them with arrow keys.
Grid
Available
An interactive table (data grid) where individual cells are keyboard-navigable.
Treegrid
Available
A grid with expandable and collapsible rows. A composite of tree and grid patterns.
Tree View
Available
Displays a hierarchical structure. Supports expand/collapse and navigation similar to a folder tree.
Carousel
Available
Automatically rotating slides. Play/pause controls and screen reader considerations are essential.
Window Splitter
Available
A resize handle that moves the boundary between two panes via drag or keyboard.

Normative References

Success Criterion 2.1.3 Keyboard (No Exception) — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
Understanding Keyboard (No Exception) — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.

APG Patterns Related to This Criterion

Accordion

Disclosure

Menu and Menubar

Menu Button

Link

Button

Checkbox

Radio Group

Switch

Combobox

Listbox

Slider

Slider (Multi-Thumb)

Spinbutton

Tabs

Toolbar

Grid

Treegrid

Tree View

Carousel

Window Splitter

Normative References