WCAG Guideline 3.2.3: Consistent Navigation Explained

Estimated read time: 5–6 minutes

Guideline 3: Understandable

The Understandable principle ensures that web content is clear and predictable, including how users move around your site.

Guideline 3.2: Predictable

Guideline 3.2 focuses on making web pages behave in ways users expect, especially regarding navigation and repeated elements.

"Navigational mechanisms that are repeated on multiple Web pages within a set of Web pages occur in the same relative order each time they are repeated, unless a change is initiated by the user."

Guideline 3.2.3 requires that navigation menus and repeated elements appear in a consistent order and location across your site.

Helps users learn and predict navigation patterns
Essential for users with cognitive and visual disabilities
Applies to all repeated navigation, menus, and links

For more, see Allyant: Understanding the Consistent Navigation Requirement in Web Accessibility .

Why Does It Matter?

Cognitive Disabilities: Consistency reduces confusion and cognitive load
Screen Reader Users: Predictable navigation order aids orientation
All Users: Familiarity improves usability and trust

For more, see W3C’s guidance on Consistent Navigation .

What Needs to Be Consistent?

Main navigation menus
Sidebars and repeated links
Footers and other repeated elements
Order and location should remain the same across pages

How to Meet Guideline 3.2.3

Use templates or components to keep navigation consistent
Avoid rearranging or moving navigation elements between pages
Test your site for consistent navigation order and placement
Allow users to customize navigation only if they choose

For more, see the W3C's Consistent Navigation Techniques .

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Changing the order or location of navigation menus between pages
Adding or removing links inconsistently
Not using templates or shared components for navigation

Differences Between A, AA, and AAA for Guideline 3.2.3 in WCAG 2.2

Level AA: Requires consistent navigation order and placement across pages.
Level AAA: No additional requirements for 3.2.3.
Level A: Not applicable (3.2.3 is a Level AA requirement).

For more, see the W3C’s official documentation for 3.2.3 Consistent Navigation .

Quick Checklist

Navigation menus appear in the same order and location on every page
Repeated elements are consistent across the site
Templates or components are used for navigation
Tested for consistency with assistive technology

Summary

Guideline 3.2.3 ensures that users can rely on your site’s navigation to be predictable and familiar. Consistency is key to accessibility and usability.

Consistency builds confidence—make your navigation a familiar friend for every user!

AccessiTech LLC