Headings

Topic	Technique	WCAG AA Requirement
Headings to Bypass Blocks of Content	Bypass blocks: Screen readers allow users to navigate by headings, so headings are an effective way to bypass blocks of content, as required by WCAG 2.4.1. Note: Headings are not absolutely required by WCAG to pass 2.4.1, but are highly recommended, along with landmarks and skip links.	Required WCAG 2.4.1
Meaningful Text	Accurate, informative section labels: Headings MUST be accurate and informative, as labels for the sections of text they describe.	Required WCAG 1.3.1 WCAG 2.4.6
	Brevity: Heading text SHOULD be concise and relatively brief.	best practice
Heading Markup	Use real headings: Text that acts as a heading visually or structurally SHOULD be designated as a true heading (<h1>, <h2>, etc.) in the markup.	best practice
	Heading Markup for Headings Only: Text that does not act as a heading visually or structurally SHOULD NOT be marked as a heading.	best practice
Outline/Hierarchy of Content	Content outline: Headings SHOULD convey a clear and accurate structural outline of the sections of content of a web page.	best practice
	Consecutive levels: Headings SHOULD NOT skip hierarchical levels.	best practice
	First heading in the main content: The beginning of the main content SHOULD start with <h1>.	best practice
	One <h1>: Most web pages SHOULD have only one <h1>.	best practice