Writing & StyleStyle guide

Writing Accessible Tablist Labels

Writing Accessible Tablist Labels records a distinct W3C-supported accessible-naming task and keeps implementation mechanics outside the writing guidance.

Quick answer

Name a tablist by the shared purpose of its tabs, using concise wording that distinguishes it from other tab sets on the page.

Key details

Core IssueW3C APG recommends an accessible name for a tablist when the name helps users understand the context or purpose of the set of tabs.
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Important caveats

Scope Boundary

This page covers wording for the tablist’s accessible name; individual tab labels and keyboard behavior are separate concerns.

Further guidance

Content

Use the label to express the tab set’s purpose or context, not to repeat every tab name or the role word “tablist.”

Purpose

A concise tablist name helps users distinguish one tab set from another and understand what the group controls.

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.

  1. Providing Accessible Names and Descriptions — W3C WAI ARIA APG (opens in a new tab)W3C Web Accessibility Initiative · W3C WAI-ARIA Authoring Practices guidance for descriptive accessible names, visible labels, and button/control naming.

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