How the checker grades each image
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pass | Descriptive alt text under 125 characters |
| Missing alt | No alt attribute at all — a screen reader may read the file name |
| Empty (decorative) | alt="" — correct only for purely decorative images |
| Needs review | Too long, or looks like a file name such as IMG_2041.jpg |
Writing good alt text
- Describe what the image shows and why it is there, in one short sentence.
- Include a keyword only when it naturally describes the image.
- Do not start with "image of" — screen readers already announce it as an image.
- For images that contain text, put that text in the alt attribute.
Good alt text helps your images appear in Google Images and makes your site usable for people with visual impairments.
Frequently asked questions
Do all images need alt text?
Every image needs an alt attribute. Informative images need a description; decorative images should use an empty alt="" so screen readers skip them.
How long should alt text be?
Usually one short sentence, under about 125 characters.
Does alt text help SEO?
Yes. It is the main way search engines understand images and it can help them rank in image search.