Accessibility: Alternative Text
What is alternative (alt) text?
Alternative (alt) text is a short written description of an image that conveys its essential information or purpose. It is added to the image’s HTML code so that screen readers can read it aloud for people who are blind or have low vision. Alt text also appears in place of an image if it fails to load, helping all users understand what was meant to be displayed.
In short, alt text makes visual content accessible by describing what the image shows and why it’s important in the context of the page.
Why is alt text important?
Alternative text is important because it ensures that the information conveyed by images is accessible to everyone, including users who are blind, have low vision, or use screen readers. Without alt text, these users would miss essential parts of the content and context. Alt text also helps images display meaningfully when they fail to load and can improve search engine optimization by allowing search engines to understand what an image represents.
What are some examples of alt text?
Alt Text Should:
- Be accurate
- Be concise (usually under 125 characters)
- Convey the purpose or meaning, not just the appearance
- Avoid filler phrasing like “image of” or “picture of”
Needs Improvement Alt Text Examples:
- Dog
- Graph of sales
- Image of a woman
Better Alt Text Examples:
- Golden retriever puppy playing in the grass
- Line graph showing sales increasing from January to June
- Nurse helping a patient walk in a hospital hallway
How do I add alt text to images in Canvas?
View the instructions on how to add alt text to images in Canvas.
How do I add alt text to images in Microsoft products?
Who do I contact if I have questions?
If you have questions about alt text or digital accessibility in general, please email accessibility@uwp.edu and a member of the Digital Accessibility Work Group will get back to you as soon as possible.
Are there additional resources to learn more about alt text?
Yes! There are plenty of additional resources out there to learn more about alt text! Below is a list of links to just some of the resources that are available.