Links with no destination, driven by JavaScript

WCAG 2.1.1, 4.1.2 (A) · EN 301 549 9.2.1.1

There are <a> elements with no href that still respond to clicks.

Why it matters

An <a> without href does not receive keyboard focus and is not announced as a link. Anyone navigating with Tab simply cannot reach it: for that person the element does not exist.

How to fix it

If it navigates somewhere, give it a real href. If it performs an action on the page (opening a menu, a modal), use a <button>, which is keyboard-accessible already.

<a onclick="openMenu()">Menu</a>

<button type="button" onclick="openMenu()">Menu</button>

Related

• Image button with no alternative text
• Embedded frame with no title
• Form fields with no label
• Buttons with no name