1.4.9 Images of Text (No Exception)
Level AAA · added in WCAG 2.0
Use real text instead of pictures of text. Images of text are allowed only when they are pure decoration or when that exact presentation is essential, such as a logo.
Who it helps
People with low vision who enlarge text or change fonts and colors cannot do that with text in an image. It also blurs when zoomed. People with reading disabilities who use text-to-speech or reading tools also need real text.
How to meet it
- Set headings, banners, buttons and quotes as HTML text, and style them with web fonts, colors and CSS effects.
- Replace text in hero images or sale banners with live text placed over the image or beside it.
- Keep images of text only for logotypes, pure decoration, or cases where the exact look is the point, such as a font specimen.
- Unlike 1.4.5, there is no exception for images of text that users can customize, so plan on real text everywhere else.
- Level AAA is not required by most laws or policies, which point to AA. It is still worth meeting where you can.
Examples
<img src="spring-sale-heading.png"
alt="Spring sale: 30% off all plans"><button type="submit">
<img src="btn-start-trial.png" alt="Start free trial">
</button><h2 class="sale-heading">Spring sale: 30% off all plans</h2>
<style>
.sale-heading {
font-family: "Brand Display", Georgia, serif;
color: #7a1f3d;
}
</style><button type="submit" class="btn-primary">Start free trial</button>Can a scanner detect this?
No
axe-core has no rule for images of text, because it cannot read the pixels of an image to see whether it contains words. Check images yourself, especially banners, headings and buttons.
No automated rule tests this criterion. Check it by hand.
Common mistakes
- Assuming good alt text makes an image of text acceptable; alt text helps screen readers but not people who zoom or restyle text.
- Exporting styled headings from a design tool as PNG files or outlined SVG paths instead of using web fonts.
- Putting prices, dates or offer terms inside banner images.
- Treating a decorative-looking quote or slogan as decoration when it actually carries information.
Related criteria
Check your own page
See which automated WCAG checks your page fails, with the failing elements and how to fix them.
Reviewed November 2, 2026