Level AAPerceivable1.4.13

WCAG 1.4.13: Content on Hover or Focus

Additional content triggered by hover or focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent.

ADA Relevance: Level AA is the standard courts reference for ADA compliance. Failing this criterion creates direct legal exposure for ADA lawsuits.

Why Content on Hover or Focus Matters

Tooltips, popups, and dropdown content must be controllable by users, especially those using magnification who may not see content appearing outside their viewport.

How to Test for WCAG 1.4.13 Violations

Check all tooltips, popovers, and content triggered by hover/focus. Verify: can be dismissed (Escape key), content remains visible when moused over, persists until dismissed.

How to Fix WCAG 1.4.13 Violations

Ensure hover/focus-triggered content: 1) can be dismissed with Escape, 2) stays visible when pointer moves to the triggered content, 3) stays visible until focus moves away or user dismisses it.

Industries Most Affected by Content on Hover or Focus Violations

These industries commonly fail WCAG 1.4.13 due to the nature of their website content and functionality:

Content on Hover or Focus by Platform

Different platforms have different levels of built-in support for WCAG 1.4.13:

WCAG 1.4.13 FAQ

What does WCAG 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus require?

WCAG 1.4.13 requires that additional content triggered by hover or focus is dismissible, hoverable, and persistent. This is a Level AA criterion under the Perceivable principle, meaning it is required for ADA compliance (courts reference WCAG 2.1 AA).

How do I test for WCAG 1.4.13 violations?

Check all tooltips, popovers, and content triggered by hover/focus. Verify: can be dismissed (Escape key), content remains visible when moused over, persists until dismissed.

Is WCAG 1.4.13 required for ADA compliance?

Yes. WCAG 1.4.13 is a Level AA criterion, and courts consistently reference WCAG 2.1 AA as the standard for ADA compliance. Failing to meet this criterion creates legal exposure for ADA lawsuits, which typically settle for $10,000 to $75,000+.

What happens if my website fails WCAG 1.4.13?

Failing WCAG 1.4.13 Content on Hover or Focus means tooltips, popups, and dropdown content must be controllable by users, especially those using magnification who may not see content appearing outside their viewport. This violation is detectable by automated scanning tools that ADA plaintiff attorneys use to identify lawsuit targets. ADA CodeFix can scan your site for this specific violation and provide AI-generated code fixes.

Test Your Site for WCAG 1.4.13 Violations

ADA CodeFix automatically scans for Content on Hover or Focus violations and provides AI-generated code fixes — not overlay widgets.

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