Operable / 2.4 Navigable
2.4.3Focus Order
Level AEnsure the focus order follows a logical sequence that preserves meaning and operability, including moving focus into a dialog when opened and back to the trigger when closed. This matters especially for screen reader users, who cannot see the whole page at once and rely on the focus order to make sense of it.
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.
Related Techniques
Specific implementation techniques for meeting this success criterion. This site doesn't include the full text, so follow the links to the original W3C documents.
Sufficient Techniques(6)
- C27: Making the DOM order match the visual order(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- G59: Placing the interactive elements in an order that follows sequences and relationships within the content(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- H102: Creating modal dialogs with the HTML dialog element(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- PDF3: Ensuring correct tab and reading order in PDF documents(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- SCR26: Inserting dynamic content into the Document Object Model immediately following its trigger element(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- SCR27: Reordering page sections using the Document Object Model(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Failures(2)
- F44: Failure of Success Criterion 2.4.3 due to using tabindex to create a tab order that does not preserve meaning and operability(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
- F85: Failure of Success Criterion 2.4.3 due to using dialogs or menus that are not adjacent to their trigger control in the sequential navigation order(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)
Normative References
- Success Criterion 2.4.3 Focus Order — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
- Understanding Focus Order — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.