Pointer targets must be large enough

Rule target-size · Deeper checks · impact serious · Live only (static → incomplete)

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Why it matters#

Small tap targets are hard to hit for people with motor impairments or on touch screens. WCAG 2.2 requires interactive targets to be at least 24×24 CSS px, exempting inline targets in sentences (size constrained by the line-height of surrounding text) and undersized targets with adequate spacing (the 24px-circle test). This needs real geometry, so it runs on a live page.

How to fix#

Increase the target’s size (padding works well) to at least 24×24 CSS px, or ensure adequate spacing around it.

Example#

<button style="width:16px;height:16px">x</button>

<button style="width:24px;height:24px">x</button>

WCAG success criteria#

2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) — Level AA#

Pointer targets should be at least 24×24 CSS px, or have sufficient spacing.

Understanding 2.5.8

Standards#

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG AA EN 301 549

References#

• WCAG — Target Size (Minimum)