2.5.3 Label in Name

Level A · added in WCAG 2.1

When a control has a visible text label, its accessible name must contain that same text. Ideally the name starts with the visible label.

Who it helps

Voice control users say what they see, such as "click Send". If the code names the button "Submit form", the command fails. Screen reader users who can see the screen also get confused when speech doesn't match the label.

How to meet it

Let the visible text be the accessible name by not adding aria-label to controls that already have text.
If you add aria-label or aria-labelledby, include the visible label word for word, preferably at the start.
For links with visually hidden extra text, keep the visible words first, such as "Read more about pricing".
Capitalization and punctuation don't need to match exactly, but keep the same words in the same order.
Icon-only controls with no visible text are not covered here, though they still need a name under 4.1.2.

Examples

Fails:The visible label says Send but the accessible name says Submit form

<button type="submit" aria-label="Submit form">Send</button>

Fails:A search button whose name drops the visible word

<button type="submit" aria-label="Find products">Search</button>

Passes:No aria-label, so the visible text is the name

<button type="submit">Send</button>

Passes:An extended name that starts with the visible label

<button type="submit" aria-label="Search products">Search</button>

Can a scanner detect this?

Partly

axe-core's label-content-name-mismatch rule compares visible text with the accessible name and flags names that don't contain it. It cannot read text inside images or labels placed outside the control, so check those by hand.

axe-core rules that test it

label-content-name-mismatch

Common mistakes

Adding a "more descriptive" aria-label that replaces the visible words instead of including them.
Translating the visible text but leaving the aria-label in the original language.
Naming a form field with aria-label that differs from its visible label element.
Adding a tooltip or title as the name while the visible text says something else.

Official W3C explanation of 2.5.3

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