Handling Decorative Images in Text Alternatives
Handling Decorative Images in Text Alternatives records a distinct W3C-supported accessibility writing task while keeping implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.
Do not write descriptive alt text for a purely decorative image; use the decorative-image treatment so assistive technology can ignore it.
Key details
Important caveats
Scope Boundary
The author must decide from context whether the image is truly decorative; if it identifies, explains, or contributes information, it needs an appropriate informative alternative instead.
Further guidance
Content
When an image adds no information, do not invent descriptive wording for it; treat it as decorative so assistive technology can ignore it.
Practical Application
When an image is truly decorative—or merely repeats information already conveyed nearby—use the platform’s decorative-image treatment so assistive technology can skip it; in HTML this commonly means a null `alt` value rather than descriptive wording.
Purpose
Omitting unnecessary spoken description reduces clutter and avoids repeating information that nearby text already communicates.
Reader Check
Does the image add any information, identification, instruction, or function that would be lost if a nonvisual user never encountered it?
Worked Example
For a purely ornamental flourish between sections, mark it decorative instead of writing alt text such as “blue decorative swirl,” which would add noise without conveying useful content.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Decorative Images — W3C WAI Images Tutorial (opens in a new tab)World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) · W3C WAI guidance to use a null text alternative when an image is purely decorative or already described nearby.