2.4.6 Headings and Labels

Conformance level: AA

Criterion released in WCAG version: 2.0

Official description of the success criterion

Headings and labels describe topic or purpose.

Ensure headings and labels are descriptive.

Assists users in understanding the purpose of content.

Common pitfalls

A lot of people don't understand what headings are and how they should be used. This can result in several types of issues:

Using wrong levels of headings (if it is a problem this belongs under 1.3.1 but if it isn't necessarily an issue, it's "just" an accessibility best practice).
Using headings to emphasise some text that is not a heading (this belongs under 1.3.1).
Not having descriptive headings.

How to test for it?

Check the content for the use of headings. Ensure all headings are descriptive.