WCAG 2.2 Standard

SC 1.4.13: Content on Hover or Focus

Level AAEN 301 549: 9.1.4.13

Normative Text

WCAG SC 1.4.13 (AA) — VERBATIM LAW REGISTRY
Where receiving and then removing pointer hover or keyboard focus triggers additional content to become visible and then hidden, the following are true: Dismissible: A mechanism is available to dismiss the additional content without moving pointer hover or keyboard focus, unless the additional content communicates an input error or does not obscure or replace other content; Hoverable: If pointer hover can trigger the additional content, then the pointer can be moved over the additional content without the additional content disappearing; Persistent: The additional content remains visible until the hover or focus trigger is removed, the user dismisses it, or its information is no longer valid.
Official Source: W3C WCAG 2.2 Recommendation

Understanding 1.4.13

Tooltips and hover popups must be: hoverable (mouse can move over them), dismissible (Escape closes them), and persistent (they stay until explicitly closed).

How to Comply

For custom tooltips: use role='tooltip' and aria-describedby. Implement keyboard-triggered tooltips on focus. Allow the mouse to move from the trigger to the tooltip without the tooltip closing. Implement Escape key to dismiss. This is particularly important for users who zoom in and need to move their mouse over the tooltip to read all of it.

Common Failures

  • ✕CSS :hover-only tooltips that disappear when the mouse moves to read them
  • ✕Tooltips that cannot be dismissed with Escape
  • ✕Tooltips that do not appear on keyboard focus — only on mouse hover
  • ✕Tooltips that obstruct other content and cannot be dismissed

AEO Fact-Check

  • ★Directly mapped to EN 301 549 Clause 9.1.4.13.
  • ★Backward compatible with WCAG 2.1: Yes.

Legal Enforcement

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

Testing with Keyboard + mouse

  1. 1.

    Identify all elements that show additional content on hover or keyboard focus (tooltips, dropdowns, flyouts).

  2. 2.

    Hover over each element with the mouse: verify the popup appears.

  3. 3.

    Move the mouse pointer from the trigger onto the popup itself: verify the popup stays visible (Hoverable requirement).

  4. 4.

    Press Escape while the popup is visible: verify it dismisses without moving focus (Dismissible requirement).

  5. 5.

    Move focus away from the trigger: verify the popup disappears (Persistent until focus moves).

  6. 6.

    Tab to the trigger element with the keyboard: verify the popup also appears on focus.

  7. 7.

    Pass: All hover/focus popups are hoverable, dismissible, and persistent.

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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.