Accessibility Writing Tips: How to Write for Every Reader
Practical writing habits that make your content readable by people with different abilities, languages and devices.
Accessibility is not a checklist item
Every accessibility improvement is also a general usability improvement. Clearer language helps native speakers as well as translators. Better structure helps screen-reader users as well as skim-readers. Higher contrast helps people with visual impairments as well as anyone reading on a phone in sunlight.
The tips below apply to blog posts, product copy, help documentation, and any long-form writing that will be read on the web.
Write clearly
Aim for grade 8 or lower
Grade 8 is the reading level of most mainstream news. A Readability Checker gives you an instant Flesch-Kincaid score.
Prefer common words
'Use' beats 'utilise.' 'Help' beats 'facilitate.' 'Show' beats 'demonstrate.'
Keep sentences short
Aim for 15–20 words per sentence on average. Cut any sentence with more than three clauses.
Structure for scannability
Use meaningful H2s and H3s. A screen-reader user often navigates a page by heading — vague headings like 'More info' waste their time.
Use bullet lists for enumerable items. Use numbered lists for sequences.
Write link text that makes sense out of context. 'Click here' is meaningless; 'read the accessibility guide' is helpful.
Support alternative formats
Add alt text to every image that carries information. Skip alt text for purely decorative images (use `alt=""`).
Provide transcripts for audio and captions for video.
Make sure your text contrasts with its background — 4.5:1 for body copy, 3:1 for large text.
Key takeaways
Accessible writing is clear writing — the two are inseparable.
Grade 8 or lower, short sentences, common words.
Structure and alt text are as important as the words themselves.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a lower reading grade always better?
- For most public content, yes. For technical documentation aimed at experts, higher is fine — but still aim for clarity.
- How do I check reading grade?
- The Readability Checker computes Flesch-Kincaid grade level from your text automatically.
- What if my industry demands jargon?
- Use jargon where it's precise, and explain it the first time. Never use jargon just to sound authoritative.
- Are long articles less accessible?
- Only if they're unstructured. A 5,000-word article with strong headings can be more accessible than a 500-word wall of text.
- How do I write good alt text?
- Describe the image's meaning in context, not its visual details. 'Sales dashboard showing 12% growth' beats 'bar chart with green bars.'
- Does font choice affect accessibility?
- Yes — use readable, high-contrast fonts and avoid decorative fonts for body copy.
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