3.1.1 Language of Page
The default human language of each web page can be programmatically determined.
Last reviewed: September 9, 2026
Understanding 3.1.1
Screen readers and other assistive technology use the declared page language to select the correct pronunciation rules, voice, and (for braille users) the correct braille translation table. Without a declared language, a screen reader may default to the user's system language and mispronounce every word on a page written in a different language, making the content difficult or impossible to understand by ear. Browsers also use it for feature like translation prompts and spell-checking.
How to Meet It
Code Examples
<!-- No lang attribute - assistive tech has to guess the language -->
<html>
<head><title>Welcome</title></head>
<body>...</body>
</html><!-- Declares English as the page's default language -->
<html lang="en">
<head><title>Welcome</title></head>
<body>...</body>
</html>Frequently Asked Questions
What if my site serves several languages from the same template?
Set the lang attribute dynamically to match whatever language is actually being rendered on that particular page (e.g., lang="fr" for the French version), rather than hard-coding one language across all locales.
Do I need a region subtag like en-US versus just en?
A base language subtag like en is sufficient to meet this criterion. Adding a region subtag (en-GB, en-US) is optional and can fine-tune pronunciation/spelling conventions further, but it isn't required.
Related Success Criteria
Quick Facts
- Criterion3.1.1
- LevelA
- IntroducedWCAG 2.0
Automate Compliance
AccessiSight automatically scans and identifies 3.1.1 issues in your codebase.
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