3.2.6 Consistent Help

Level A · added in WCAG 2.2

If help is repeated on multiple pages, it must appear in the same order relative to the other page content each time. It covers human contact details, a human contact method such as chat or a form, self-help such as an FAQ, and automated contact such as a chatbot.

Who it helps

People with cognitive disabilities who get stuck need to find help quickly, and they find it faster when it is always in the same place. Screen reader and magnifier users also benefit when help sits in the same part of the reading order.

How to meet it

Put help mechanisms in a shared header or footer template so they appear in the same order on every page.
Keep the order of help items consistent with each other and with the rest of the page, such as after the main menu and before the search.
Treat each type separately: contact details, a contact form or chat, self-help pages and chatbots each need a consistent position if repeated.
You do not have to provide help to meet this criterion; it applies only when help is repeated on several pages.
A link to a contact or help page counts as a help mechanism, so the link itself must stay in a consistent place.

Examples

Fails:The help link is in the header on one page and in the footer on another

<!-- Product page -->
<header><nav>...</nav> <a href="/help">Help</a></header>
<main>...</main>
<!-- Checkout page -->
<header><nav>...</nav></header>
<main>...</main>
<footer><a href="/help">Help</a></footer>

Passes:The help link and phone number keep the same place on every page

<!-- Product page and checkout page share this header -->
<header>
  <nav>...</nav>
  <a href="/help">Help</a>
  <a href="tel:+18005550199">Call 1-800-555-0199</a>
</header>
<main>...</main>

Can a scanner detect this?

axe-core tests one page at a time, so it cannot compare where help appears across pages. A person must visit several pages and check that each help mechanism keeps the same order relative to the rest of the content.

No automated rule tests this criterion. Check it by hand.

Common mistakes

Using a simplified checkout template that moves the help link from the header to the footer.
Showing the phone number before the help link on some pages and after it on others.
Inserting a chat button at a different point in the page code on different pages, which changes its place in the reading order.

Official W3C explanation of 3.2.6

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