Success Criterion 1.4.5
Conformance level AA

1.4.5 · Images of Text

Lesson overview · Images of Text

In plain language

Use real text, not pictures of text (except logos or where the exact look is essential).

Who it affects

Low-vision users who need scalable text, and people who customize fonts or colors.

How to check

Try to select text with the cursor — if headings, buttons, menus, or paragraphs can't be selected, they're probably images of text.

Common misconception

Teams reach for an image when they want a specific font or exact visual effect. But if the visual look can be done in CSS, it should be, images of text can't be resized, searched, or restyled.

Learn more

Understanding Understanding this success criterion (opens in a new tab)

Scenarios in this lesson

Text-Heavy Content Rendered as an Image Instead of Real Text
Page Heading or Banner Exported as an Image File
Button or Navigation Label Rendered as an Image
Marketing Text Baked Directly Into a Composite Image
Restaurant Menu or Price List Uploaded as a Photo
Screenshot of Text Used as the Page’s Primary Content
Email-Style Hero Image With All Its Copy Baked In
Chart Axis Labels Rasterized Instead of Rendered as Text
Text Drawn in a Canvas Element Instead of Real HTML Text
Quote Card Image Used as the Only Version of a Quote
Image-of-Text Used With No Way for Users to Customize It