WCAG 2.1 SC 3.2.4: Consistent Identification (Level AA)
3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA) — what it requires, a common failure example, and how to fix it. Part of WCAG 2.1's 3.2 Predictable guideline under the Understandable principle.
WCAG 2.1 guidelines hub → Understandable → 3.2 Predictable
3.2.4 Consistent Identification (Level AA)
Predictable is about not surprising the user. Interfaces should behave consistently, and nothing should move focus or change context without the user asking it to — this matters enormously for screen-reader and switch-device users, who lose their place entirely when something changes unexpectedly.
This page is educational technical reference material, not legal advice. Meeting WCAG 2.1 does not by itself determine legal compliance with the ADA or any other law — consult qualified counsel for legal risk questions.
Plain-language explanation: Components that do the same thing need to be labeled and iconed the same way everywhere they appear — one icon, one label, one meaning, site-wide.
Common failure: A cart icon on some pages opens a slide-out mini-cart and on others navigates straight to the full cart page — same icon, two different behaviors, depending on which part of the site the user is on.
Remediation: Audit every instance of a repeated icon/control across templates and standardize both its function and its accessible name.
In this guideline — 3.2 Predictable: 3.2.1 On Focus (A) · 3.2.2 On Input (A) · 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (AA) · 3.2.4 Consistent Identification (AA) · 3.2.5 Change on Request (AAA)
← Previous: 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation (AA) · Next: 3.2.5 Change on Request (AAA) →
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This page is educational content about technical accessibility practice, not legal advice. Meeting WCAG 2.1 does not guarantee legal compliance with the ADA or any other law. Consult qualified counsel for legal risk questions.
This page was drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by a person for accuracy before publication.