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Level AAAWCAG 2.0
3.3.5 Help
Context-sensitive help is available.
Last reviewed: September 9, 2026
Understanding 3.3.5
This criterion requires that context-sensitive help be available for complex tasks or fields. It benefits people with cognitive disabilities and anyone unfamiliar with domain-specific terminology or complex instructions, by putting guidance right where it's needed instead of requiring users to search elsewhere for it.
How to Meet It
Provide help text, tooltips, or links to detailed instructions adjacent to complex form fields or tasks: for example, a "What's this?" link next to a CVV field, or a help icon that expands guidance for a tax form field. Ensure the help mechanism is reachable and operable by keyboard and properly announced to assistive technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a general site-wide help page satisfy this criterion?
Only if it is specific enough to be useful for the task at hand. Pointing users to a generic help center that doesn't address the particular field or task does not meet the intent of context-sensitive help.
Related Success Criteria
Quick Facts
- Criterion3.3.5
- LevelAAA
- IntroducedWCAG 2.0
Automate Compliance
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