area
with title
attribute
Screen reader compatibility
HTML
Sep 11, 2022
Expected Result: works in a screen reader
Actual Result: causes problems in 59 screen reader / browser combinations
Code used for this test:
<img src='1234.png' alt='this is alt text' usemap='#area_title_map1'>
<map id='area_title_map1' name='area_title_map1'>
<area title='this is left title text' coords='0,0,100,100' href='left_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
<area title='this is right title text' coords='200,0,300,100' href='right_arrow.htm' target='frame1'></area>
</map>
Reliability Trend
This graph shows reliability over time for this code in NVDA, JAWS and Voiceover. Other screen readers don't have enough historical data yet to plot trends.
Change History
Last updated: September 11, 2022
NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
NVDA with IE Causes problems in NVDA 2019.2
NVDA with FF Causes problems from NVDA 2012.1 to NVDA 2022.2
JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
JAWS with IE Stable - OK from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
JAWS with FF Causes problems in JAWS 2022.2207.25
VoiceOver macOS Better - caused problems in VoiceOver macOS 10.11, but now OK in VoiceOver macOS 12.5
VoiceOver iOS Causes problems from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
WindowEyes with IE Better - caused problems in WindowEyes 8.4, but now OK in WindowEyes 9.2
Dolphin with IE Causes problems in Dolphin SR 15.05
SaToGo with IE OK in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen reader | Browser | Mode | Notes | What the user hears |
---|---|---|---|---|
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. This is alt text, graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. This is alt text, graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. This is alt text, graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | This is alt text, graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. This is alt text, graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | Link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | Graphic, this is alt text. This is alt text, graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. This is alt text, graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | Link URLs read out instead of link title | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic link, slash left arrow dot HTM. Graphic link, slash right arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link, this is alt text, graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | No indication AREA links exist | Graphic, this is alt text. |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF41 | Reading | No indication AREA links exist | Graphic, this is alt text, this is alt text |
![]() | FF41 | Tabbing | Link URLs read out each time user tabs. | Slash left arrow dot HTM, link. Slash right arrow dot HTM, link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Complete silence when tabbing between AREAs. | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | reads out URL instead of title | graphic, this is alt text, link, slash left arrow dot HTM |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | reads out URL instead of title, and nothing read after tabbing to second area element | This is alt text, link, slash left arrow dot HTM, graphic |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | reads out URL instead of title | graphic, this is alt text, link, slash left arrow dot HTM |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | reads out URL instead of title, and nothing read after tabbing to second area element | This is alt text, link, slash left arrow dot HTM, graphic |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 105 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF102 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title | Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow dot HTM. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF102 | Tabbing | Reads out URL instead of link title | This is alt text graphic, slash left underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. Slash right underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 105 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 105 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 94 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF91 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title | Image map link graphic, slash left underline arrow dot HTM. Image map link graphic, slash right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF91 | Tabbing | Reads out URL instead of link title | This is alt text graphic, slash left underline arrow dot HTM, link. Slash right underline arrow dot HTM, link. |
![]() | Edge 94 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 94 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 86 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF78 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF78 | Tabbing | Reads out URL instead of link title | This is alt text graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. |
![]() | Edge 92 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text | |
![]() | Edge 92 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 79 | Tabbing | This is alt text, image map read-only, this is left title text, image map link graphic. This is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF68 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title | Image map link graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF68 | Tabbing | Reads out URL instead of link title | This is alt text graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. Right underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | This is alt text graphic. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link. This is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Reading | Image map link graphic, this is left title text. Image map link graphic, this is right title text. | |
![]() | Chrome 73 | Tabbing | Tab, this is alt text, image map read-only, this is left title text, image map link graphic. Tab, this is right title text, image map link graphic. | |
![]() | FF60 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link graphic, left underline arrow. Image map link graphic, right underline arrow. |
![]() | FF60 | Tabbing | Reads out URL instead of link title | Tab, this is alt text graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. Tab, right underline arrow dot HTM, image map link graphic. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is left title text, image map link. Tab, this is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF52 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title, and no indication of links | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF52 | Tabbing | Tab, this is alt text graphic, this is left title text, image map. Tab, this is right title text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Tab, this is left title text, image map link. Tab, this is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF48 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title, and no indication of links | Graphic, this is alt text. Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM. |
![]() | FF48 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left title text, image map. This is right title text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link. This is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF41 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title, and no indication of links | Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM right underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM |
![]() | FF41 | Tabbing | This is alt text graphic, this is left title text, image map. This is right title text, image map. | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link. This is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | Reads out URL instead of title, and no indication of links | Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM right underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, left underline arrow dot HTM. Graphic, right underline arrow dot HTM |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | Reads out link URL instead of title, silence on second tab | Left underline arrow dot, right underline arrow dot HTM, image map. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | Graphic, this is alt text. Image map link, this is left title text. Image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link. This is right title text, image map link. | |
![]() | FF29 | Reading | reads out URL instead of title, and no indication of links | graphic, left underscore arrow dot HTM right underscore arrow dot HTM, graphic, left underscore arrow dot HTM, graphic, right underscore arrow dot HTM |
![]() | FF29 | Tabbing | reads out link URL instead of title, silence on second tab | left underscore arrow dot HTM right underscore arrow dot HTM, image map, right underscore arrow dot HTM |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, image map link, this is left title text, image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link, this is right title text, image map link | |
![]() | FF28 | Reading | no indication of image map links | graphic, this is alt text |
![]() | FF28 | Tabbing | wrong alt read out when tabbing | This is alt text, graphic, for first area, silence for second area |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | graphic, this is alt text, image map link, this is left title text, image map link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, image map link, this is right title text, image map link | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | This is alt text. Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | This is alt text, link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | Silence when tabbing to AREA links - no indication of image map role or name | |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 15.6 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 15.0 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 14.1 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 13.0 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. In, this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 12.1 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 10.1.2 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 9.1.2 | Tabbing | IMG ALT text read out instead of AREA TITLE for first AREA link | This is alt text, image map. Link, this is right title text |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 8.0.6 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Reading | This is alt text, image map. Interact with: this is alt text, image map, 2 items, link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari 7.0.3 | Tabbing | Link, this is left title text. Link, this is right title text | |
![]() | Safari iOS 15.6 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, or using the Next Link gesture, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. (This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 14.7 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, or using the Next Link gesture, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. (This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 13.3 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, or using the Next Link gesture, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. (This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 12.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, or using the Next Link gesture, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. (This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 11.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, or using the Next Link gesture, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. (This is left title text, link. This is right title text, link.) |
![]() | Safari iOS 10.3 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 9.1 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 8.4 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | Safari iOS 7.1 | Touch | Very hard to find AREA links because image map links are not announced when reading. It is possible to find them by minesweeping, but there are no audible cues to tell the user they're missing links. | This is alt text. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | No link labels read for AREA | This is alt text. Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | No link labels read | Link. Link. |
![]() | IE11 | Reading | link, this is left title text, link, this is right title text | |
![]() | IE11 | Tabbing | This is left title text, link, this is right title text, link |
SortSite rules: AccHtmlAreaNoAlt
Test notes
All tests were carried out with screen reader factory settings. JAWS in particular has a wide variety of settings controlling exactly what gets spoken.
Screen readers allow users to interact in different modes, and can produce very different results in each mode. The modes used in these tests are:
- Reading Content read using the “read next” command in a screen reader
- Tabbing Content read using the “tab” key in a screen reader
- Heading Content read using the “next heading” key in a screen reader
- Touch Content read when touching an area of screen on a mobile device
In the “What the user hears” column:
- Commas represent short pauses in screen reader voicing
- Full Stops represent places where voicing stops, and the “read next” or “tab” or “next heading” command is pressed again
- Ellipsis … represent a long pause in voicing
- (Brackets) represent voicing that requires a keystroke to hear