WCAG 2.1 · Level AA · Perceivable

WCAG 1.3.5 — Identify Input Purpose

Fields collecting common user info (name, email, address) should declare their purpose via autocomplete so browsers and assistive tech can auto-fill.

WCAG 1.3.5 at a glance

Level AA · Principle: Perceivable · Added in WCAG 2.1. Level AA is the conformance target for the ADA, EAA, and Section 508.

What it means

Fields collecting common user info (name, email, address) should declare their purpose via autocomplete so browsers and assistive tech can auto-fill.

Who it helps

Users with cognitive disabilities and anyone who benefits from autofill.

Common failures

  • Login/checkout fields with no autocomplete attributes

How to meet WCAG 1.3.5

  1. Add appropriate autocomplete tokens (e.g. autocomplete="email")
  2. Use standard input types

How to test it

Partly automatable — check for autocomplete on identified inputs.

Frequently asked questions

Is WCAG 1.3.5 Level A or AA?
WCAG 1.3.5 (Identify Input Purpose) is a Level AA success criterion, introduced in WCAG 2.1. Level AA is the standard required by the ADA, EAA, and Section 508.
How do I test WCAG 1.3.5?
Partly automatable — check for autocomplete on identified inputs.

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