Target size checker
Measures buttons, links and icons on the rendered page against the WCAG 2.2 minimum of 24 by 24 pixels.
What this check looks for
The audit runs this check with every other check, on the page as the browser renders it.
- Small icon buttons
- Close, menu and social icons smaller than 24 by 24 CSS pixels.
- Crowded controls
- Small targets placed so close together that a finger can hit the wrong one.
- Tiny form controls
- Checkboxes, radio buttons and pagination links drawn smaller than the minimum.
What a failure looks like
Social icons in a footer are 16 pixels square and sit 4 pixels apart. People with tremors or on small screens tap the wrong one.
/* Broken: 16 by 16 targets packed together */
.social a { width: 16px; height: 16px; margin: 0 2px; }/* Fixed: the icon stays small, the tap area is 44 by 44 */
.social a { display: inline-grid; place-items: center; width: 44px; height: 44px; }
.social a svg { width: 16px; height: 16px; }How it shows in AccessGuard
Each finding names the WCAG criterion, explains the problem in plain words and shows the element that fails, so a developer can find it on the page.
WCAG criteria
Findings from this check name one of these criteria. How much of each the audit can decide on its own:
| Criterion | Level | Automation |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) Target sizes are measured. The spacing and inline exceptions sometimes need a person. | AA | Partly automated |
What still needs a person
No automated tool can confirm these. AccessGuard marks related findings as Review, so nobody mistakes them for a pass.
- Whether the spacing exception applies, where a small target has enough space around it.
- Links inside sentences, which are exempt.
Questions
What does WCAG 2.5.8 require?
Pointer targets must be at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels, unless there is enough space around them, they are inline in text, the browser controls their size, or the small size is essential.
Is 44 by 44 pixels required?
44 by 44 is the stricter AAA criterion (2.5.5) and a common design guideline. The AA minimum is 24 by 24.
Is target size new?
Yes. Target Size (Minimum) was added in WCAG 2.2, published in October 2023.
Related checks and guides
- Keyboard and focus checker
Finds controls people can't reach by keyboard, focus styles that were removed, and focused elements hidden behind sticky headers.
- Color contrast checker
Measures text and control colors on the rendered page against the WCAG 2.2 AA ratios, and flags links that differ from text by color alone.
- Link text checker
Finds links with no accessible name, vague text like "click here", and links that open new windows without warning.
- Most Common WCAG Violations (With Code Fixes for Each)
Guide
Check a client page for target size issues
The free audit runs this check and every other one. Results in about a minute.