Feature - Null or empty alternative text on spacer
- WAVE Category: Feature
- WAVE ACCESSIBILITY PATTERN: Null or empty alternative text on spacer
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 2026-04-27. Check for updated guidance at: https://wave.webaim.org/api/docs?format=html#alt_spacer
WAVE Category
Features
WAVE Error
Null or empty alternative text on spacer
What It Means
Alternative text is null or empty (alt="") on a spacer image.
Why It Matters
Spacer images are used to control layout or positioning. Because they do not convey content, they should be given empty/null alternative text (alt="") to ensure that the content is not presented to screen reader users and is hidden when images are disabled or unavailable.
What To Do
Ensure that the image is a spacer image and that it does not convey content. Consider using CSS instead of spacer images for better control of positioning and layout.
The Algorithm... in English
An images with width and/or height of 3 pixels or less or file name of spacer., space., or blank.* has empty/null alt attribute value (alt="").
Standards and Guidelines
Example of a DOM Snippet Generated From WAVE Tool
Screenshots of Accessibility Pattern in Use
1. Descriptive Title for Screenshot Set 1
Description/text for image
[INSERT IMAGE HERE]
Credits/Authors
- @MissBrandyLea
- [INCLUDE Contributor 2]
- [INCLUDE Contributor N]