Understandable / 3.2 Predictable

3.2.3Consistent Navigation

Level AA

Keep navigation mechanisms that repeat across multiple pages of a site, such as a header menu, in the same relative order every time they appear. This lets users predict where to find an item without relearning the layout on each page. Order changes the user makes themselves are exempt.

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(1)

G61: Presenting repeated components in the same relative order each time they appear(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)

Advisory Techniques(2)

Failures(1)

F66: Failure of Success Criterion 3.2.3 due to presenting navigation links in a different relative order on different pages(opens in a new tab)waic.jp(opens in a new tab)

Normative References

Success Criterion 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation — WCAG 2.2(opens in a new tab)The normative requirement text.
Understanding Consistent Navigation — W3C(opens in a new tab)Official guidance on intent, examples, and techniques.