How this tool works
Parses pasted markup and lists img elements whose alt attribute is absent or blank, with their source URL when available.
How to use it
- Paste HTML containing the images to check.
- Review each flagged image in its page context.
- Write concise purpose-based text, or use empty alt for decorative images where appropriate.
Limits to keep in mind
The tool cannot see the images or infer purpose. Empty alt can be appropriate for decorative images; missing alt should be reviewed in context.
Frequently asked questions
Should every image have descriptive alt text?
Alt handling depends on purpose; meaningful images need useful alternatives while decorative images may use empty alt.
Does it download images?
No. It inspects only the pasted HTML attributes.
How long should alt text be?
Keep it short and describe the image’s purpose in context, usually a phrase or one short sentence. Avoid stuffing keywords or starting with “image of”.
When should an image have empty alt text?
When it is purely decorative or repeats nearby text. An empty alt attribute tells screen readers to skip it, which is different from leaving the attribute out.
How to interpret missing and empty alt
The alt attribute on an image provides a text alternative. Screen readers announce it for people who cannot see the image, browsers show it if the image fails to load, and search engines use it as one of several clues about what the image shows.
The Image Alt Text Checker parses the HTML you paste and lists images whose alt attribute is missing or empty, along with the image address when one is present. These two cases mean different things. A missing alt attribute usually indicates a problem, because assistive technology may read out the file name instead. An empty alt attribute, written as alt with nothing between the quotes, is a deliberate signal that the image is decorative and should be skipped. Both are listed so you can review them in context.
Write alternatives by purpose
Alt text should describe the purpose of the image on that page, not simply list what is visible. Ask what the image is doing. If it shows a product, say which product and the feature that matters. If it is a chart, state the main finding, and put detailed data in nearby text. If it is a photo that supports an article, describe what it adds to the story.
Keep it concise, often a short phrase or one sentence. Do not start with "image of" or "picture of", since screen readers already announce that it is an image. Do not stuff keywords, which makes the page harder to use and may look spammy. If an image contains text, include that text in the alt unless the same text appears right beside it.
Functional images and logos
When an image is a link or button, its alt text should describe the action or destination, not the picture. A magnifying glass icon inside a search button should have alt text like "Search". A logo that links to the homepage can use alt text such as "ItsFreelancer home".
If an image is the only content of a link, an empty alt makes the link inaccessible, because there is no text left to announce. Check these cases first in the results, since they affect whether people can use the page at all. For icons that sit beside visible text with the same meaning, an empty alt is usually correct, because it avoids repeating the same thing twice.
Decorative images
Some images add no information, such as a decorative divider, a background flourish or a repeated icon. These should have an empty alt attribute, so assistive technology ignores them. Leaving the attribute out entirely is not the same, because many screen readers will then read the file name.
When you review the list, ask whether the image would be missed if it vanished. If not, it is probably decorative and can have an empty alt, or be added through CSS background instead of an img element. If the image carries meaning, such as a diagram, a screenshot of a result, or a person being quoted, it needs a proper description. The tool cannot make this call because it cannot see the picture.
Alt text and image search
Search engines use many clues to understand an image, including the file name, the text around it, the page topic, structured data and the alt text. Descriptive alt text helps, and for sites that get visits from image search it can make a real difference. It is not a place to hide extra keywords.
To get more from your images, give them clear file names such as meta-tag-example.png, place them near relevant text, use appropriate sizes and modern formats, and make them crawlable. Alt text works together with these factors. If an image does not need to be found in search, such as a decorative element, the alt text should simply keep the page accessible.
Paste the right HTML
The checker only sees the markup you paste. If your page loads images with JavaScript or lazy-loading, the source might show placeholders or data attributes instead of final image tags. For the most accurate review, copy the rendered HTML from your browser's developer tools.
Paste only the part of the page you want to review, such as the main content, when navigation and footer images add noise. Image tags that appear in templates, widgets or ads may also be included. Review each flagged image in its page context instead of fixing everything mechanically. The same missing alt in a product listing and in a decorative banner needs a different decision.
Limitations and workflow
The tool cannot see the images, understand their purpose, or judge the quality of existing alt text. It reports only missing and empty attributes. An image with alt text that says "image1" or repeats a file name will pass this check even though it is not helpful.
A good workflow is to run the checker, fix the flagged images, then spot-check a sample of images that already have alt text to confirm they are accurate. Build alt text into your publishing process, so new images are covered from the start. Combine this check with other accessibility reviews, since alt text is one part of a page that works well for everyone.
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