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.
Purpose
Omitting unnecessary spoken description reduces clutter and avoids repeating information that nearby text already communicates.
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.