WCAG guides
Every WCAG version, in plain language.
WCAG is the international standard for accessible web content. Here are clear, complete guides to each version — the four POUR principles, every Level A and AA success criterion explained, what changed between versions, and which reala11y checks map to which criteria.
- W3C Recommendation
WCAG 2.0 — the foundation
The base layer: POUR, testable success criteria, three conformance levels.
Read the guide → - W3C Recommendation
WCAG 2.1 — mobile, low vision, cognitive
Backward-compatible with 2.0; 17 new criteria for touch, low vision, and cognition.
Read the guide → - W3C Recommendation
WCAG 2.2 — the current standard
The current standard reala11y targets: +9 criteria, 4.1.1 Parsing removed.
Read the guide → - W3C Working Draft
WCAG 3.0 — the outlook
A future direction — a Working Draft, not a standard to target yet. Keep aiming at 2.2 AA.
Read the guide →
At a glance
| Version | Year | Status | Criteria |
|---|---|---|---|
| WCAG 2.0 | 2008 | W3C Recommendation | 61 criteria |
| WCAG 2.1 | 2018 | W3C Recommendation | 78 criteria (+17) |
| WCAG 2.2 | 2023 | W3C Recommendation | 86 testable (87 numbered) |
| WCAG 3.0 | in development | W3C Working Draft | not finalised |
Targeting accessibility today? Aim for WCAG 2.2 AA — the current Recommendation and the basis for most laws and policies. WCAG 3.0 is an early draft to watch, not a standard to target yet.
How reala11y helps
reala11y scans your WordPress site against 22 of these success criteria and applies safe, code-level fixes where it can — pairing automated detection with the manual review the rest of WCAG requires. It helps you move toward WCAG 2.2 AA conformance; it does not certify compliance.