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ARIA tabindex

  • WAVE Category: ARIA
  • WAVE ARIA: ARIA tabindex

Page Content Status

  • WAVE Tool Reference text
  • Example of a DOM Snippet Generated From WAVE Tool
  • Screenshots of Accessibility Pattern in Use
  • Credits/Authors

WAVE Tool Reference

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This content added 2026-03-23. Check for updated guidance at: https://wave.webaim.org/api/docs?format=html#aria_tabindex

WAVE Category

ARIA

WAVE Error

ARIA tabindex

What It Means

A tabindex value of 0 or less is present.

Why It Matters

Tabindex can facilitate keyboard navigation for interactive elements. A tabindex attribute value of 0 places an item into the keyboard navigation order (i.e., you can navigate to it using the Tab key). A value of less than 0 (typically -1) removes an element from the keyboard flow (you cannot Tab to it), but allows it to receive programmatic focus (e.g., via scripting).

What To Do

Ensure that tabindex is being used correctly by navigating and interacting with the elements using only the keyboard. Positive tabindex values specify a distinct tab order and should typically be avoided.

The Algorithm... in English

A tabindex attribute is present and has a value of 0 or less.

Standards and Guidelines

Example of a DOM Snippet Generated From WAVE Tool

[HTML snippet showing the problematic code structure that WAVE detected]

Screenshots of Accessibility Pattern in Use

1. Descriptive Title for Screenshot Set 1

Description/text for image

[INSERT IMAGE HERE]

Credits/Authors

  • @Rabia2219
  • [INCLUDE Contributor 2]
  • [INCLUDE Contributor N]