Level AAWCAG 2.2

2.5.7 Dragging Movements

All functionality that uses a dragging movement for operation can be achieved by a single pointer without dragging, unless dragging is essential or the behavior is determined by the user agent and not modified by the author.

Last reviewed: September 9, 2026

Understanding 2.5.7

Dragging requires a user to press down, maintain contact while accurately moving the pointer, and release at the right spot: a sustained, coordinated motion that is significantly harder than a tap for people with tremors, limited grip strength, or motor-control impairments. This criterion, new in WCAG 2.2, requires that anything achievable by dragging (reordering a list, moving a slider thumb, dragging a file onto a drop zone) also be achievable through a simple single-pointer action like tapping buttons or clicking to select-then-place.

How to Meet It

For drag-to-reorder lists, add explicit "Move up"/"Move down" buttons or a context menu action as an alternative to the drag handle. For sliders, ensure the track and thumb can be operated by clicking a position or using arrow keys, not only by dragging. For drag-and-drop uploads, always provide a conventional file-picker button alongside the drop zone. Reserve drag-only interaction for cases where dragging is essential to the task itself, such as a freehand drawing canvas or a jigsaw-puzzle game.

Code Examples

INCORRECT

<!-- Reordering only works by dragging the list item; no alternative for single-pointer users -->
<ul class="sortable">
  <li draggable="true">Item 1</li>
  <li draggable="true">Item 2</li>
</ul>

CORRECT

<!-- Drag handle remains, but explicit buttons provide a single-pointer, tap-only alternative -->
<ul class="sortable">
  <li draggable="true">
    Item 1
    <button type="button" aria-label="Move Item 1 up">Up</button>
    <button type="button" aria-label="Move Item 1 down">Down</button>
  </li>
</ul>

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this criterion ban drag-and-drop interactions?

No. You can keep drag-and-drop as a convenience, but you must also provide a way to achieve the same result with a single click or tap per action (no sustained drag), unless the dragging itself is essential to the function, like freehand drawing.

Does a native <input type="range"> slider need extra work?

Usually not. Native range sliders already support click-on-track and arrow-key operation in addition to dragging the thumb, so they satisfy this criterion out of the box. Custom-built sliders need to replicate that behavior explicitly.

Related Success Criteria

2.5.1 Pointer Gestures 2.5.2 Pointer Cancellation 2.5.3 Label in Name 2.5.4 Motion Actuation

Quick Facts

Criterion2.5.7
LevelAA
IntroducedWCAG 2.2

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