Focus Order - Success Criterion 2.4.3 (Level A)
Question
Does the content on your site or application follow a logical order when navigating by keyboard?
Why is this important?
People who rely on keyboard navigation need the ability to tab to focusable content (e.g. links, buttons). This content should follow a meaningful sequential order so that users do not become confused, disoriented, or interpret information in the wrong context. This is also important to screen reader users who cannot see how the page is organized.
Whom does it benefit?
Example 1
As a person who is blind and uses a screen reader,
I want to be able to interact with content in the proper order
so that I can complete tasks successfully.
Example 2
As a person with a fine motor disability who relies on keyboard navigation,
I want to tab through form fields sequentially
so that I can complete my college application in an organized and timely manner.
What should you do?
- Ensure focusable content follows a logical and meaningful order.
How do you do it?
- Confirm tab order is logical.
Need technical guidance?
Technical guidance is available for implementing this Success Criterion at the Understanding Success Criterion 2.4.3: Focus Order page.
Additional resources to help you
Terminology explained
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