1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)
Images of text are used only for pure decoration, with no exception for cases where a particular presentation is essential; live text must be used for everything else.
Last reviewed: September 9, 2026
Understanding 1.4.9
This AAA-level criterion tightens 1.4.5 by removing the "essential presentation" exception, since even presentation-critical text can typically be reproduced with modern CSS, web fonts, or SVG text. It maximizes the number of low-vision users who can resize, recolor, and have text read aloud, without any remaining image-of-text case undermining that.
How to Meet It
Code Examples
<img src="quote-banner.png" alt="Accessibility is not a feature, it's a right."><figure class="quote-banner">
<blockquote>Accessibility is not a feature, it's a right.</blockquote>
</figure>Frequently Asked Questions
Does this mean logos can never contain text on an AAA-conformant site?
The explicit logo exception from 1.4.5 isn't repeated in the normative text of 1.4.9, but logotypes identify an organization rather than convey document content, so many AAA conformance evaluations still treat them as decorative brand marks. This is one of the stricter judgment calls under this criterion, and teams pursuing full AAA should document their rationale.
Is this criterion commonly a mandatory requirement?
Rarely, as a legal target: it is Level AAA, and the W3C itself advises against requiring full AAA conformance across entire sites. It is most relevant to publishers or agencies specifically committing to the highest available conformance level for particular content.
Related Success Criteria
Quick Facts
- Criterion1.4.9
- LevelAAA
- IntroducedWCAG 2.0
Automate Compliance
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