This translation has not been editorially reviewed yet. The German version is authoritative. Deutsche Fassung →
Target sizes on the phone: 24×24 pixels as the floor
Controls must measure at least 24×24 pixels, unless they're spaced far enough apart or sit within body text. What's measured is the clickable area, not the icon inside it — a small icon inside a large button is fine.
- Typically affected are toolbars, close icons, row actions in tables, and star ratings. At a desk with a mouse pointer, you hit them reliably; with a thumb, you don't.
- The check measures per device profile, since the same button renders at different sizes depending on the layout, and names examples of undersized areas along with their dimensions.
- This rule is new in WCAG 2.2, and so it affects many existing interfaces that previously counted as fine.
FAQ
Does the minimum size also apply to links within text?
No. Links within a sentence are explicitly exempt — otherwise every block of body text would have to be spaced out. Standalone links next to buttons, on the other hand, are pointer targets.
Is it enough to increase the spacing?
Yes, that's one of the built-in exceptions: if there's enough free space around the small target, the requirement is met, even without enlarging the area itself.