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# 2.2.1 Timing Adjustable

- Level: A
- Guideline: 2.2 Enough Time
- Principle: 2 Operable

## What it is

For each time limit that is set by the content, at least one of the following is true:

- **Turn off:** The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or
- **Adjust:** The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or
- **Extend:** The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or
- **Real-time Exception:** The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or
- **Essential Exception:** The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or
- **20 Hour Exception:** The time limit is longer than 20 hours.

## How to test

- Check: The user is allowed to turn off the time limit before encountering it; or
- Check: The user is allowed to adjust the time limit before encountering it over a wide range that is at least ten times the length of the default setting; or
- Check: The user is warned before time expires and given at least 20 seconds to extend the time limit with a simple action (for example, "press the space bar"), and the user is allowed to extend the time limit at least ten times; or
- Check: The time limit is a required part of a real-time event (for example, an auction), and no alternative to the time limit is possible; or
- Check: The time limit is essential and extending it would invalidate the activity; or
- Check: The time limit is longer than 20 hours.
- Use the sufficient techniques below as acceptable methods when applicable.
- Confirm none of the common failures apply.

## Sufficient techniques (W3C)

- G133: Providing a checkbox on the first page of a multipart form that allows users to ask for longer session time limit or no session time limit
- G198: Providing a way for the user to turn the time limit off
- G180: Providing the user with a means to set the time limit to 10 times the default time limit
- SCR16: Providing a script that warns the user a time limit is about to expire
- SCR1: Allowing the user to extend the default time limit
- G4: Allowing the content to be paused and restarted from where it was paused
- SCR33: Using script to scroll content, and providing a mechanism to pause it
- SCR36: Providing a mechanism to allow users to display moving, scrolling, or auto-updating text in a static window or area

## Common failures (W3C)

- F40: Failure due to using meta redirect with a time limit
- F41: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.1, 2.2.4, and 3.2.5 due to using meta refresh to reload the page
- F58: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.1 due to using server-side techniques to automatically redirect pages after a time-out

## Notes

- Note: This success criterion helps ensure that users can complete tasks without unexpected changes in content or context that are a result of a time limit. This success criterion should be considered in conjunction with Success Criterion 3.2.1, which puts limits on changes of content or context as a result of user action.

## Resources

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

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