This is practical accessibility guidance for first-pass triage. It is not legal advice, a formal audit, WCAG certification, or a conformance guarantee.

What this means

A heading jumps over a level, such as H2 to H4.

Why it matters

Skipped levels can make relationships between page sections harder to follow.

How to fix it

  • Use headings in order according to content structure.
  • Do not choose H4 or H5 just for smaller text.
  • Adjust CSS if the visual size is the reason for the skipped level.

What automated checks can detect

A checker can identify obvious jumps between heading levels.

What still needs manual review

Confirm the heading outline makes sense when read without visual layout.

Automation cannot fully judge the information architecture or whether labels are useful.

Related tools and guides