WCAG 3.1.1 — Language of Page

The rule

Success Criterion 3.1.1 "Language of Page" is a Level A requirement under the "understandable" principle of WCAG 2.2. EN 301 549 clause 9.3.1.1 maps this criterion for procurement conformance.

What it means for how you build

Correct: <html lang="en"> (or lang="de" for German content). Incorrect: no lang attribute — screen readers guess the language and mispronounce everything. One attribute on the root element covers the whole page — the cheapest WCAG fix that exists.

Sources

• W3C — Understanding SC 3.1.1 Language of Page
• EN 301 549 v3.2.1 — clause 9.3.1.1

Related rules

• WCAG 3.3.1 — Error Identification
• WCAG 3.3.2 — Labels or Instructions
• WCAG 2.5.8 — Target Size (Minimum)
• WCAG 3.1.2 — Language of Parts