What is Alternative Text?
Alternative text is a short image description that helps describe images to users with visual impairments on a screen reader. Alt text descriptions are crucial as screen reader devices will look for provided alt text descriptions when images are encountered.
It should be noted that there are many different techniques to writing alt text descriptions. While approaches may vary, the consensus by most is that alt text descriptions should always adhere to WCAG best practices.
If you encounter images that are a bit more complex or difficult to describe, check out the guidance on this webpage.
Best Practices
This section highlights several best practices you can consider using when writing alternative text descriptions. The key to alt text is to provide users with a short description of the image provided.
Having alt text ensures users with visual impairments can understand what is being shared via the images displayed on your webpage.
A best practice is to always provide alternative text descriptions on all images that you share digitally. This ensures equal access for all user types.
This can include but is not limited to:
- Blogs & Forums
- Digital documents
- Email messages
- Learning Management Systems: Canvas
- Online articles and publications
- Social Media & Mobile Apps
- Student Platforms: WarriorLife, StanTutor, myStanState, WarriorConnect, etc.
- Virtual forms: Microsoft Forms, Google Forms
- Virtual meeting spaces such as: Teams, Zoom
- Virtual newsletters: Substack, Cerkl
- Websites & webpages
See the next sections for tips on how to write alt text descriptions.
- Think of alt text as the sentence or voice that summarizes the main idea of your photo or graphic.
When writing alt text...
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Tell users what they are looking at
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Are you sharing a photo of a person, place or thing? If so, please explain who or what the image is about in the alt text.
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Keep descriptions brief
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The general consensus is that alt text should not exceed 130-150 characters in length. This translates to about 1-2 short sentences max.
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Keep in mind, when alt text is lengthy, it can quickly become an earful to users on screen readers who have to listen to the description.
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Do not tell us it's an image in your alt text
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A screen reader already tells users once an image has been encountered. Typically, screen readers often say: "Image of" and then look for the provided alt text to describe the image aloud.
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Leave out the terms: "Photo of" , "Graphic of", "Image of", "Picture of" or similar from alt text descriptions.
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Alt text descriptions should be strictly content matter focused. Leave out any details that don't have relevance to the main point of the image.
Irrelevant details can often include:
- Clothing & or accessories worn by individuals
- Trees or nature in the background
- Color of the sky
- Someone's eye color
- Gender
- Hair color or hair styles
- Nationalities
- Physical traits
- Race or ethnicity
- Sexual orientation
Can I ever mention details about someone's appearance in the alt text?
YES, but only if its crucial or relevant to the content matter discussed on the webpage. In most instances, however, these details do not need to be mentioned in the image alt text.
- For example, if a social media post was about the latest fashion trends, then yes - you should certainly include those details about someone's appearance in the alt text.
Alt text and photo captions are not the same.
Photo Captions
- Majority of the time, captions do not always explain what the image is about.
- Captions are sometimes complimentary text that can add emotion to the photos.
- Are visible to visual user.
Alt Text
- Not available to visual users.
- Mainly used by screen readers.
- Provide descriptive details about what the image contains or is about.
Examples of Alt Text
There are many types of images, each with their own unique ways to describe. Below are some notable image examples with alt text descriptions. Be sure to check out the Helpful Resources section for additional information on alternative text.
If an individual is the focal point of the image, you would provide their name (and last name, if known) as the alt text.
Acceptable Alt Text Descriptions:
- Alissa Lopez
- Alissa Lopez, Interim Director for Scholarly Studies Program (more descriptive)
- Alissa (if last name not provided)
If multiple subjects are featured in the photo, alt text can get difficult. Generally, it is helpful (when known) to provide the amount of people in the group photos. However, for photos where there are many individuals, it is better to adapt the alt text to the occassion. See next example.
Acceptable Alt text descriptions:
- Three students gathered at a bench near the Stockton Campus
- Three students pose for a group photo near a bench
For photos where there is obviously many individuals in a photo, it is better to adjust the alt text wording accordingly. In this example, a "crowd" would be a more suitable word than group.
Acceptable Alt Text Descriptions:
- A crowd of graduates celebrate at the Class of 2023 ceremony at Stanislaus State
- Crowds of graduates cheer at the Class of 2023 ceremony at Stanislaus State
Collage images are often a challenge to describe since its multiple images in a single image. Most collages, however, will often have a general theme or activity tied to them. Strive to provide a short description of what the collage is about.
In this example, it happens to be a collage featuring 9 students from the Scholarly Studies Program.
Acceptable Alt Text Description:
- Collage featuring 9 students from the 2025 Scholarly Studies Program cohort
- Collage of 9 students from the 2025 Scholarly Studies Program cohort
- Complex images require additional steps to be made accessible.
- When sharing graphs, provide a text equivalent alongside the graphic so as to provide an alternative means for screen reader users.
1. Provide an alt text description that sums the main point illustrated by the chart or visual.
In this example, a pie charts illustrates tuition payment flows in 2025 across three categories.
- Alt text: Pie chart detailing tuition payment flows in 2025. See webpage for information breakdown.
2. Provide the data from the graphic as a table with first-row header enabled.
In this example, place the information from the chart into a table format that can be accessed via screen reader.
Tuition Payment Flows in 2025
| Fund | Percentage |
|---|---|
| State Grants | 25% |
| Scholarships | 12.5% |
| Private Loans | 62.5% |
Helpful Resources
Check out these resources to learn more in-depth about alternative text descriptions.
Updated: March 04, 2026