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input type=text with aria-label attribute Screen reader compatibility

ARIA HTML WCAG
Sep 11, 2022

Expected Result: works in a screen reader

Actual Result: causes problems in 14 screen reader / browser combinations

A more reliable alternative is wrapping the INPUT with a LABEL element.

WCAG Technique: ARIA14

Code used for this test:


		<input type='text' aria-label='Enter search text'>

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.

100%80%60%40%20%0%201482%201582%201682%201782%201893%201993%2020100%2021100%2022100%

Change History

Last updated: September 11, 2022

  • Good NVDA with Chrome Stable - OK from NVDA 2018.4 to NVDA 2022.2
  • Bad NVDA with IE Causes problems in NVDA 2019.2
  • Better NVDA with FF Better - caused problems in NVDA 2017.3, but now OK in NVDA 2022.2
  • Good JAWS with Chrome Stable - OK from JAWS 2018.1811.2 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Good JAWS with IE Stable - OK from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2019.1912.1
  • Good JAWS with FF Stable - OK from JAWS 13.0.852 to JAWS 2022.2207.25
  • Good VoiceOver macOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver macOS 10.9 to VoiceOver macOS 12.5
  • Good VoiceOver iOS Stable - OK from VoiceOver iOS 7.1 to VoiceOver iOS 15.6
  • Good WindowEyes with IE Stable - OK from WindowEyes 8.4 to WindowEyes 9.2
  • Good Dolphin with IE OK in Dolphin SR 15.05
  • Bad SaToGo with IE Causes problems in SaToGo 3.4.96.0
Screen readerBrowserModeNotesWhat the user hears
OK NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2022.2Chrome 105 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2022.2FF102 Reading Enter search text, edit has auto complete
OK NVDA 2022.2FF102 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, has auto complete, blank
OK NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2022.2Edge 105 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2021.2Chrome 94 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2021.2FF91 Reading Enter search text, edit has auto complete
OK NVDA 2021.2FF91 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, has auto complete, blank
OK NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2021.2Edge 94 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2020.2Chrome 86 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2020.2FF78 Reading Enter search text, edit has auto complete
OK NVDA 2020.2FF78 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, has auto complete, blank
OK NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2020.2Edge 92 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2019.2Chrome 79 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2019.2FF68 Reading Enter search text, edit has auto complete
OK NVDA 2019.2FF68 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, has auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2019.2IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2019.2IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK NVDA 2018.4Chrome 73 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK NVDA 2018.4FF60 Reading Enter search text, edit has auto complete
OK NVDA 2018.4FF60 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, has auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2018.4IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2018.4IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
Fail NVDA 2017.3FF60 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit, auto complete
OK NVDA 2017.3FF60 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2017.3IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2017.3IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
Fail NVDA 2016.2FF48 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit, auto complete
OK NVDA 2016.2FF48 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2016.2IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2016.2IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
Fail NVDA 2015.2FF40 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit, auto complete
OK NVDA 2015.2FF40 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2015.2IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2015.2IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
Fail NVDA 2014.1FF28 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit, auto complete
OK NVDA 2014.1FF28 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2014.1IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2014.1IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
Fail NVDA 2012.1FF28 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit, auto complete
OK NVDA 2012.1FF28 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, auto complete, blank
Fail NVDA 2012.3IE11 Reading Doesn't read aria label in Reading mode Edit
OK NVDA 2012.3IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, blank
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Chrome 105 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25FF102 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2022.2207.25Edge 105 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Chrome 94 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12FF91 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2021.2107.12Edge 94 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Chrome 86 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Reading Enter search text. Enter search text, edit, type in text.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24FF78 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2020.2008.24Edge 92 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1Chrome 79 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Reading Enter search text. Enter search text, edit, type in text.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1FF68 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Reading Enter search text. Edit.
OK JAWS 2019.1912.1IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2Chrome 73 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2FF60 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Reading Enter search text. Edit.
OK JAWS 2018.1811.2IE11 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 18.0.5038FF52 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Reading Enter search text. Edit.
OK JAWS 18.0.5038IE11 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit, enter search text, edit, type in text.
OK JAWS 17.0.2619FF48 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Reading Enter search text. Edit, enter search text, edit, type in text.
OK JAWS 17.0.2619IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 16.0.4350FF40 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 16.0.4350FF40 Tabbing Tab, enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Reading Enter search text. Edit
OK JAWS 16.0.4350IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Reading Enter search text. Blank, edit.
OK JAWS 15.0.9023FF29 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Reading Enter search text. Blank
OK JAWS 15.0.9023IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK JAWS 14.0.9002FF29 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Reading Enter search text, beep, blank
OK JAWS 14.0.9002IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 13.0.852FF28 Reading Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 13.0.852FF28 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Reading Enter search text, Type in text
OK JAWS 13.0.852IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit, type in text
OK WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK WindowEyes 9.2IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit
OK WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Reading Edit box, enter search text
OK WindowEyes 8.4IE11 Tabbing Enter search text, edit box
OK VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 12.5Safari 15.6 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 11.5Safari 15.0 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.15Safari 14.1 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.14Safari 13.0 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.13Safari 12.1 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.12Safari 10.1.2 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.11Safari 9.1.2 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.10Safari 8.0.6 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Reading Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver macOS 10.9Safari 7.0.3 Tabbing Enter search text, edit text
OK VoiceOver iOS 15.6Safari iOS 15.6Touch Enter search text, text field
OK VoiceOver iOS 14.7Safari iOS 14.7Touch Enter search text, text field
OK VoiceOver iOS 13.3Safari iOS 13.3Touch Enter search text, text field
OK VoiceOver iOS 12.4Safari iOS 12.4Touch Enter search text, text field
OK VoiceOver iOS 11.4Safari iOS 11.4Touch Enter search text, text field
OK VoiceOver iOS 10.3Safari iOS 10.3Touch Enter search text, text field, double tap to edit
OK VoiceOver iOS 9.1Safari iOS 9.1Touch Enter search text, text field, double tap to edit
OK VoiceOver iOS 8.4Safari iOS 8.4Touch Enter search text, text field, double tap to edit
OK VoiceOver iOS 7.1Safari iOS 7.1Touch Enter search text, text field, double tap to edit
OK Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Reading Enter search text, edit
OK Dolphin SR 15.05IE11 Tabbing Forms mode, enter search text, blank line, edit
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Reading no label read out Editable text, blank
Fail SaToGo 3.4.96.0IE11 Tabbing reads previous heading instead of label Aria-Label, Editable text, blank

SortSite rules: AccHtmlControlLabelMissing

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