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# 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions

- Level: A
- Guideline: 3.3 Input Assistance
- Principle: 3 Understandable

## What it is

Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.

## How to test

- Check: Labels or instructions are provided when content requires user input.
- Use the sufficient techniques below as acceptable methods when applicable.
- Confirm none of the common failures apply.

## Sufficient techniques (W3C)

- G131: Providing descriptive labels
- ARIA1: Using the aria-describedby property to provide a descriptive label for user interface controls
- ARIA9: Using aria-labelledby to concatenate a label from several text nodes
- ARIA17: Using grouping roles to identify related form controls
- G89: Providing expected data format and example
- G184: Providing text instructions at the beginning of a form or set of fields that describes the necessary input
- G162: Positioning labels to maximize predictability of relationships
- G83: Providing text descriptions to identify required fields that were not completed
- H90: Indicating required form controls using label or legend
- PDF5: Indicating required form controls in PDF forms
- H44: Using label elements to associate text labels with form controls
- PDF10: Providing labels for interactive form controls in PDF documents
- H71: Providing a description for groups of form controls using fieldset and legend elements
- G167: Using an adjacent button to label the purpose of a field

## Advisory techniques (W3C)

- G13: Describing what will happen before a change to a form control that causes a change of context to occur is made

## Common failures (W3C)

- F82: Failure of Success Criterion 3.3.2 by visually formatting a set of phone number fields but not including a text label

## Resources

- WCAG 2.2 SC: https://www.w3.org/TR/WCAG22/#labels-or-instructions
- Understanding: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/labels-or-instructions.html
- Quick reference: https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/quickref/?versions=2.2#labels-or-instructions

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