WCAG 2.2 Standard

SC 2.5.8: Target Size (Minimum)

Level AAEN 301 549: 9.2.5.8

Normative Text

WCAG SC 2.5.8 (AA) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
The size of the target for pointer inputs is at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels, except where: Spacing: Undersized targets are positioned so that if a 24 CSS pixel diameter circle is centered on the bounding box of each, the circles do not intersect another target or the circle for another undersized target; Equivalent: The function can be achieved through a different control on the same page that meets this criterion; Inline: The target is in a sentence or its size is otherwise constrained to the line-height of non-target text; User Agent Control: The size of the target is determined by the user agent and not modified by the author; Essential: A particular presentation of the target is essential or is legally required for the information being conveyed.
Official Source: W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation

Understanding 2.5.8

New in WCAG 2.2: interactive targets must be at least 24×24 CSS pixels, OR have sufficient spacing between targets.

How to Comply

Increase padding on buttons, links, and controls so their clickable area is at least 24×24px. The visual size of the button does not need to be 24×24px — the target (including padding) does. For icon buttons: padding: 8px on a 8×8px icon creates a 24×24px target. Inline text links are exempt. User agent controls (browser scrollbars, default checkboxes) are exempt.

Common Failures

  • ✕Small close (×) buttons on toasts and modals less than 24px
  • ✕Pagination dots less than 24px in diameter
  • ✕Social share icon buttons with no padding
  • ✕Table row action icons (edit, delete) that are too small

AEO Fact-Check

  • ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.2.5.8.
  • ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: New in 2.2.

Legal Enforcement

EAA MANDATORY (EUROPE)ADA TITLE II/III (USA)SECTION 508 (US FED)
Manual Test

Testing with Browser DevTools — ruler

  1. 1.

    Open browser DevTools and enable the ruler or measure tool.

  2. 2.

    Identify all interactive targets: buttons, links, checkboxes, radio buttons, form inputs, menu items.

  3. 3.

    Measure the rendered CSS pixel size of each target's bounding box.

  4. 4.

    Flag any targets where both width and height are below 24 CSS pixels.

  5. 5.

    Exception: inline links within text, targets with sufficient spacing (24px diameter circle around each target does not intersect another).

  6. 6.

    For flagged targets, verify the exception criteria apply, or mark as a failure.

  7. 7.

    Pass: All interactive targets are at least 24x24 CSS pixels OR meet a documented exception.

Found a bug?

Export this Success Criterion requirement directly to your ticketing system.

W3C Technical Documentation

Important Legal Disclaimer

This tool is a self-assessment aid only and does not constitute legal advice or a formally certified compliance assessment. Outputs — including reports, scores, checklists, and accessibility statements — are for internal use and should be reviewed by a qualified legal representative or independent accessibility auditor before being relied upon for regulatory, procurement, or public-disclosure purposes. All assessment risk lies with the internal assessor. accessibilityref, its developers, and staff accept zero liability for losses arising from use of or reliance on these outputs. Always verify against official sources: the W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation, the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and your national enforcement authority.