This article explains what alt text is and how it can be used to improve accessibility

	In This Article
	What is Alt Text How to use Alt Text Context Matters Captions vs. Alt Text Frequently Asked Questions

What is Alt Text

Alt text (sometimes called alternative text) is a text description of images and graphics that improves the accessibility of content.

It's read by screen readers and other assistive technology to give information about the image to the reader. It should provide context to the image, as well as describe the image.

How to use Alt Text

Alt text best practices include:

• Keeping the description short and simple. 1-2 sentences of detail and context is typically enough.
• Use it to describe the reason you chose the image instead of every detail.
• Informing the reader if it's a logo, painting, cartoon.
• Doesn't repeat nearby text.
• Ends with a period.

Context Matters

Where an image is placed will impact the alt text used.

For example, a picture of a laptop next to a coffee cup might focus on "a close-up of a backlit keyboard" for a tech article, but shift to "a cozy desk setup with a steaming mug" for a lifestyle blog.

Captions vs. Alt Text

Captions are an important tool for images. They can be used to give additional information about the image or even credit.

The purpose of alt text is to give the purpose of the image as it relates to the content.

They can be used together to help provide the most accurate understanding of the image.

How should I handle decorative images that do not need alt text?

Decorative images are images that do not provide meaningful information or context to the recipient, such as visual dividers, background elements, or design flourishes. While accessibility best practices typically allow decorative images to use an empty alt attribute so screen readers can skip them, the proofer requires alt text for all images when the alt text requirement is enabled. If your email includes a decorative image, we recommend adding brief alt text that identifies its decorative purpose, such as “Decorative divider” or “Decorative graphic.” This will satisfy the alt text requirement while keeping the description concise for recipients using screen readers.