The page must declare its language

Rule html-lang · Document, language & navigation · impact serious · Static + live

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Why it matters

Without , screen readers guess the language and may read the page with the wrong pronunciation rules, making it hard to understand.

Add lang to , e.g. .

✕ Fails

<html><body>Hi</body></html>

✓ Passes

<html lang="en"><body>Hi</body></html>

✕ Fails

<html xml:lang="en"><body>Hi</body></html>

✓ Passes

<html lang="en" xml:lang="en"><body>Hi</body></html>

The default human language of the page must be set programmatically ().

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG A EN 301 549 Trusted Tester ACT