auditmysitev2.0.2

Multiple main headings (h1)

headings/h1-multiple

WCAG success criterion
1.3.1 (level A)
Outcome class
Hint only. An automated check that by design reports review hints only: its findings are marked for manual review, never as confirmed violations.
Area
Accessibility, Structure & Semantics
Default severity
low
axe-core rule
headings/h1-multiple

Why we flag this

Screen reader users find it harder to tell the actual page title from the rest.

Several <h1> elements in the document.

What the rule checks

Scope. Documents with at least one rendered h1.

Expectation. Asks for review when more than one h1 is rendered: HTML allows several h1, so it is an expectation, not a proven failure. One review at the second h1. A second h1 that is hidden (in a hidden main, or by a breakpoint) does not count.

Source. WCAG 2.2 SC 1.3.1 Info and Relationships (review); HTML §4.3.11 headings and outlines

Detection: shared; needs dom, computed_style.

Failing example

The check flags this for review. Corpus case structure_heading_outline, element h1#second-title. The page may contain further findings for other rules.

structure_heading_outline.htmlHTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
    <title>Workshop guides – Acme Hardware</title>
    <style>
        body { font: 16px/1.5 sans-serif; margin: 0 16px; }
        a { display: inline-block; min-width: 44px; min-height: 44px; line-height: 44px; }
        input, button { min-width: 44px; min-height: 44px; }
        .print-only { display: none; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <!-- A guide page with an uneven outline (#783). -->
    <a href="#main" class="skip-link">Skip to content</a>
    <header>
        <p>Acme Hardware</p>
    </header>
    <nav aria-label="Main">
        <ul>
            <li><a href="/">Home</a></li>
            <li><a href="/guides/">Guides</a></li>
        </ul>
    </nav>
    <main id="main">
        <h1 id="page-title">Workshop guides</h1>
        <h2>Woodwork</h2>
        <!-- h2 to h4: one level skipped. -->
        <h4 id="skipped-level">Choosing a saw</h4>
        <p>Crosscut or rip cut, depending on the grain.</p>
        <!-- Back up to h2, then one level down: both fine. -->
        <h2>Metalwork</h2>
        <h3>Drilling steel</h3>
        <p>Use cutting oil and a low speed.</p>
        <!-- Not rendered, so not part of the outline: h3 to (h5) is no skip. -->
        <h5 class="print-only">Printed safety sheet</h5>
        <h3>Filing</h3>
        <p>Push strokes only.</p>
        <!-- A second h1 for a sub-page area. -->
        <h1 id="second-title">Guide archive</h1>
        <!-- Teaser cards without headings: an article and a named section. -->
        <article>
            <p>How to sharpen a chisel in five minutes.</p>
        </article>
        <section aria-label="Popular downloads">
            <p>Measuring chart, cutting list template.</p>
        </section>
        <!-- An unnamed section is no region and needs no heading. -->
        <section>
            <p>Updated monthly.</p>
        </section>
    </main>
    <footer>
        <p>Acme Hardware, Berlin</p>
    </footer>
</body>
</html>

Passing example

The check reports nothing here. Corpus case structure_landmark_duplicates. The page may contain further findings for other rules.

structure_landmark_duplicates.htmlHTML
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
    <meta charset="utf-8">
    <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1">
    <title>Order history – Acme Hardware</title>
    <style>
        body { font: 16px/1.5 sans-serif; margin: 0 16px; }
        a { display: inline-block; min-width: 44px; min-height: 44px; line-height: 44px; }
        input, button { min-width: 44px; min-height: 44px; }
    </style>
</head>
<body>
    <!-- A single-page app shell (#783). The inactive view's main is hidden,
         which HTML allows (only one main without the hidden attribute). A
         promo widget inside main declares itself a banner, and a cookie note
         declares itself a second contentinfo. The article's header belongs to
         the article and is no banner. -->
    <a href="#orders" class="skip-link">Skip to content</a>
    <header id="site-header">
        <p>Acme Hardware</p>
    </header>
    <nav aria-label="Account">
        <ul>
            <li><a href="/account/">Account</a></li>
            <li><a href="/orders/">Orders</a></li>
        </ul>
    </nav>
    <main id="profile" hidden>
        <h1>Your profile</h1>
    </main>
    <main id="orders">
        <h1>Order history</h1>
        <div id="promo" role="banner">
            <p>Free delivery this week.</p>
        </div>
        <article>
            <header><h2>Order 2026-0412</h2></header>
            <p>Three boxes of wood screws.</p>
        </article>
    </main>
    <footer id="site-footer">
        <p>Acme Hardware, Berlin</p>
    </footer>
    <div id="cookie-note" role="contentinfo">
        <p>This site stores your basket in a cookie.</p>
    </div>
</body>
</html>

This page is generated from the rule catalogue and the rule contracts; see therule overview for how the outcome classes are derived.