blink

Blinking content distracts readers, reduces comprehension, and rapid flashing can trigger photosensitive seizures. Modern browsers no longer support the blink tag, but legacy code may still include it. Remove the effect, or make sure any blinking lasts fewer than five seconds. This keeps information readable and safe for everyone.

Pass Patterns

Emphasizing text with styling

CSS weight and color draw attention without any motion.

<p class="alert-text">Limited-time offer</p>


<style>
    .alert-text {
        font-weight: 700;
        color: #c00;
    }
</style>

A blink that stops within five seconds

A CSS animation blinks the text a few times, then stops on its own.

<style>
    @keyframes blink {
        0%, 100% { opacity: 1; }
        50% { opacity: 0; }
    }
    .notice {
        animation: blink 1s linear 4;
    }
</style>
<p class="notice">New message</p>

Fail Patterns

Using the blink element

The <blink> element is obsolete. Browsers that still support it blink the text indefinitely with no way to stop it, so it must be removed.

<blink>Sale ends soon!</blink>

WCAG techniques

Sufficient techniques

• G11: Creating content that blinks for less than 5 seconds
• SCR22: Using scripts to control blinking and stop it in five seconds or less
• G152: Setting animated gif images to stop blinking after n cycles (within 5 seconds)
• G186: Using a control in the web page that stops moving, blinking, or auto-updating content
• G191: Providing a link, button, or other mechanism that reloads the page without any blinking content

Failure techniques

• F112: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.2 due to using blinking content that lasts for more than five seconds without a mechanism to stop it
• F50: Failure of Success Criterion 2.2.2 due to a script that causes a blink effect without a mechanism to stop the blinking at 5 seconds or less

ACT Rules

• Text content that changes automatically can be paused, stopped or hidden

Try It Yourself

Inspecting the browser dev-tools

1. Open the page in a desktop browser.
2. Search the DOM for <blink> elements or content that blinks.
3. Watch any blinking content for more than five seconds.

Expected results: No content blinks for more than five seconds, or a mechanism lets you stop it.

Actual results: Blinking content continues past five seconds with no way to stop it.

FAQ

Standards and Regulations

Personas impacted by this issue

• Cognitive
• Attention and Focus
• Low Vision
• Screen Reader
• Seizures and Physical Reactions