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Understandable WCAG 3.3.5

3.3.5 Help

Context-sensitive help is available.

Level AAA Minor WCAG 2.0 (new) WCAG 2.1 WCAG 2.2

What this rule means

WCAG 3.3.5 requires that context-sensitive help is available for form fields and interactive components. This means users can get help specific to the task they are performing, not just a general help page.

Help can be provided through tooltips, inline instructions, help icons that expand content, or links to relevant help topics.

Why it matters

Users with cognitive disabilities may need extra guidance to complete forms correctly. Context-sensitive help reduces errors and supports task completion without requiring users to leave the current page.

Related axe-core rules

There are no automated axe-core rules for this criterion.

How to test

  • Identify complex form fields that might need additional guidance.
  • Verify context-sensitive help is available for those fields.
  • Check that help content is accessible to screen readers and keyboard users.
  • Ensure help does not obscure the field it relates to.

How to fix

<!-- Inline help text -->
<label for="cvv">CVV</label>
<input type="text" id="cvv" aria-describedby="cvv-help" />
<p id="cvv-help" class="help-text">
  The 3-digit number on the back of your card.
</p>

<!-- Expandable help -->
<label for="tax-id">Tax ID</label>
<input type="text" id="tax-id" />
<details>
  <summary>What is a Tax ID?</summary>
  <p>Your Tax Identification Number (TIN) is a 9-digit
     number assigned by the IRS...</p>
</details>

Common mistakes

  • Only providing a generic FAQ page without context-sensitive help.
  • Help tooltips that are not keyboard accessible.
  • Help content that covers the input field.

Resources