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  • WAVE Category: Alert
  • WAVE Alert: Orphaned form label

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  • WAVE Error guidance text
  • Example of a DOM Snippet Generated From WAVE Tool
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WAVE Error guidance

WAVE Tool's Reference material on Orphaned form label may not specifically address your problem. We provide it here for optional reading.

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This content added 2026-02-26. Check for updated guidance at: https://wave.webaim.org/api/docs?format=html#label_orphaned

WAVE Category

Alert

WAVE Error

Orphaned form label

What It Means

A form label is present, but it is not correctly associated with a form control.

Why It Matters

An incorrectly associated label does not provide functionality or information about the form control to the user. It usually indicates a coding or other form labeling issues.

What To Do

Properly associate the label with its corresponding form control. If there is no corresponding form control, remove the label. Labels are not appropriate for image, submit, reset, button, or hidden form controls.

The Algorithm... in English

A <label> element - does not surround a form control and the for attribute is missing/empty - references an element that is not present in the page - references an element that is not an <input>, <select> or <textarea> element - references an <input> element with image, submit, reset, button, or hidden type

Standards and Guidelines

  • 1.1.1 Non-text Content (Level A)
  • 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (Level A)
  • 2.4.6 Headings and Labels (Level AA)
  • 3.3.2 Labels or Instructions (Level A)

Example of a DOM Snippet Generated From WAVE Tool

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