Alternativtext (Alt-Text)
What is alternative text (alt text)?
Alt text, also known as alt text, is a hidden text description of images and other non-textual elements on web pages and in digital documents. Alt text provides a textual alternative to visual information and enables screen readers and other assistive technologies to describe the content of images to users who cannot see them.
The importance of alt text for digital accessibility
Alt texts are an essential element of digital accessibility. They ensure that all users, regardless of their visual abilities, have access to the information conveyed by images and graphic elements. This includes not only images, but also graphics, buttons and other visual elements that are important for understanding the content and navigating the website.
Best practices for creating alt text
Precise and concise descriptions
An effective alt text describes the image or visual element accurately and concisely. It should convey the essence of the image without digressing too far or including unnecessary details.
Consideration of the context
The context in which the image is used should be taken into account when formulating the alt text. The alt text should describe the information or function of the image within the overall context of the page or document.
Avoid redundant phrases
Avoid redundant phrases such as "image of..." or "graphic of..." in the alt text, as screen readers already indicate that it is an image. Instead, concentrate on describing the content or function of the image.
Do all images have to have an alt text?
Yes, ideally all images should have an alt text to maximise accessibility. Exceptions can be purely decorative elements that do not convey any information; these can have an empty alt text (alt="").
How long should an alt text be?
There is no fixed rule for length, but a good alt text is usually short and to the point. A length of 125 characters is often recommended to ensure that the text is fully read aloud by screen readers.
Can alt texts be added to images retrospectively?
Yes, alt texts can and should be added retrospectively if they were not taken into account when the content was originally created. This is particularly important when updating older content to improve digital accessibility.
What is a good alt text?
A good alt text provides a clear description that makes the visual content understandable for non-sighted people and takes into account the context of the image within the text.
What does Image Alt-Text mean?
Image Alt-Text (alternative text) is a textual description of an image that is used in HTML to explain the content of the image if it is not loaded or is used by screen readers.
What should an alt text look like?
An alt text should be short (ideally less than 125 characters), describe the content of the image precisely and not contain phrases such as "Image of..." or "Graphic of...".
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