The HTML aria-description attribute
The aria-description attribute gives an element an accessible description directly from a string — the string counterpart to aria-describedby. It is part of ARIA 1.3 and support is still limited.
Overview
The aria-description attribute provides an accessible description from a string (ARIA 1.3).
It is one of ARIA's naming and description properties, which give an element an accessible name or description for assistive technology. Whenever you can, associate visible text — a <label>, or aria-labelledby pointing at on-screen text — so sighted and screen-reader users get the same information, rather than hiding it in an invisible string.
Like all ARIA, aria-description changes only the accessibility tree — what assistive technology perceives — never the element's behavior or appearance. The first rule of ARIA applies: if a native HTML element or attribute conveys this, use that instead, and only reach for ARIA when nothing native fits.
Syntax
<button aria-description="Opens in a new window">Docs</button>Values
| Value |
|---|
| A string. |
Example
<a href="/report.pdf" aria-description="PDF, 2.3 MB">Download report</a>Best practices
- Follow the first rule of ARIA — use a native HTML element or attribute that conveys this where one exists, rather than adding ARIA.
- Prefer referencing visible text (a <label> or aria-labelledby) over an invisible string where possible.
- Use aria-label only when there is no suitable on-screen text to reference.
- Keep the name concise and meaningful — it is exactly what a screen reader announces.