Touch Target Checker – Test Mobile Accessibility

WCAG defines two levels for touch target sizes: WCAG 2.5.5 (Level AAA): Touch targets should be at least 44×44 CSS pixels WCAG 2.5.8 (Level AA): Touch targets should be at least 24×24 CSS pixels Industry standards: Apple iOS: Recommends minimum 44×44 points Android Material Design: Recommends minimum 48×48 density-independent pixels Microsoft: Recommends minimum 44×44 epx For best accessibility, aim for 44×44px or larger, especially for primary actions.

Touch targets include any interactive element that users can tap or click: Links (<a> tags) Buttons (<button> elements) Form inputs (text fields, checkboxes, radio buttons) Dropdowns (<select> elements) Custom interactive elements with click handlers Icon buttons and action buttons Toggles and switches Pagination controls Social media share buttons Note: The entire clickable area matters, not just the visible icon or text. Padding counts!

Several techniques to increase touch target size: Add padding: Easiest solution - padding: 12px makes any element bigger Set minimum dimensions: min-width: 44px; min-height: 44px; Expand hit area with pseudo-elements: ::before { content: ''; position: absolute; top: -12px; right: -12px; bottom: -12px; left: -12px; } Increase font size: Larger text = larger default size Use flexbox centering: Centers small icons in larger containers Add spacing between targets: Prevents accidental clicks For icon-only buttons, make the button itself 44×44px even if the icon is 20×20px.

Yes! WCAG 2.5.8 (Level AA) requires that targets either: Are at least 24×24 CSS pixels in size, OR Have sufficient spacing so the target can fit within a 24×24px circle without overlapping another target's circle Best practice: Maintain at least 8px spacing between interactive elements to prevent accidental activation. Why spacing matters: Reduces mis-taps and user frustration Helps users with motor disabilities Improves usability on small screens Better experience for users with large fingers Prevents accidental activations while scrolling

Yes, WCAG allows some exceptions: Inline links: Links within sentences don't need to meet the size requirement User agent controls: Browser-provided controls (like video player controls) Essential targets: When a specific size is essential to the information being conveyed However: Just because something is exempt doesn't mean you shouldn't make it accessible! Consider these guidelines: Make inline links at least 24×24px if possible Provide adequate spacing around inline links Use larger text for better default size Test on actual mobile devices

Testing strategies for mobile touch targets: This tool: Analyze on desktop but check pixel measurements Browser DevTools: Use device emulation mode and toggle device toolbar Real devices: Test on actual phones and tablets (best method) Remote testing: Use BrowserStack or similar for cross-device testing Accessibility scanner: Use mobile accessibility scanners (Android, iOS) Quick test: Can you tap the target accurately with your thumb? If not, it's probably too small. Remember: CSS pixels ≠ physical pixels. A 44×44 CSS pixel target may be larger or smaller on different devices depending on pixel density.