1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus
Conformance level: AA
Criterion released in WCAG version: 2.1
Official description of the success criterion
Where receiving and then removing pointer hover or keyboard focus triggers additional content to become visible and then hidden, the following are true:
- Dismissible: A mechanism is available to dismiss the additional content without moving pointer hover or keyboard focus, unless the additional content communicates an input error or does not obscure or replace other content;
- Hoverable: If pointer hover can trigger the additional content, then the pointer can be moved over the additional content without the additional content disappearing;
- Persistent: The additional content remains visible until the hover or focus trigger is removed, the user dismisses it, or its information is no longer valid.
Exception: The visual presentation of the additional content is controlled by the user agent and is not modified by the author.
What to do?
Ensure that additional content triggered by hover or focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.
Why is it important?
Helps users who navigate via keyboard or assistive technologies interact with content reliably.
Common pitfalls
Custom tooltips don't comply with the requirements by default so check all of those carefully. The title attribute in HTML is ok because the user agent defines its visual presentation.