WCAG 1.4.5: Images of Text

WCAG 1.4.5 Images of Text is a level AA success criterion from WCAG 2.0. Use real text rather than pictures of text, except for logos or when a particular presentation is essential.

Pictures of text do not resize cleanly, do not translate, and often have no alternative.

How to test

Look for promotional banners. If the words are part of the image, this is the issue.

How to fix

Rebuild the banner in HTML and CSS. If the image must stay, repeat the words in real text.

Example that fails

A hero image contains the only copy of 'Free postage this week'.

Example that passes the check

The offer is an HTML heading over a decorative photo.

Shopify

Replace image banners in the image-with-text section with a heading and a button. Keep the photo as a background.

WooCommerce

Rebuild slideshow captions as HTML in the theme instead of text baked into the JPEG.

WordPress

Use a Cover block with real heading text, not a picture of the heading.

Wix

Use a text element over the image strip, not text flattened into the image.

Related fixes