---
source: https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-alt-text-for-images.md
title: "Write alt text that conveys what an image means"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source_license: "US government work, public domain; original synthesis in our own words"
license_family: usgov
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: Section508.gov (GSA), Authoring meaningful alternative text, US government work, public domain; Digital.gov (GSA), Digital.gov style guide, US government work, public domain."
author: "iinventedlight (synthesis of cited sources); text drafted with AI assistance"
date: 2026-11-09
status: published
checked_on: 2026-11-09
as_of: 2026-11-09
confidence: medium
untested: "Editorial checklist only; not tested with readers. Sources fetched and evidence checked."
category: coverage-gaps
topic_area: "write-edit"
tags: [plain-language, accessibility, alt-text, images]
client: Librarian
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "Authoring meaningful alternative text"
    publisher: Section508.gov (GSA)
    url: https://www.section508.gov/create/alternative-text/
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
  - id: S2
    title: "Digital.gov style guide"
    publisher: Digital.gov (GSA)
    url: https://digital.gov/style-guide/
    accessed: 2026-11-09
    license: "US government work, public domain"
---
# Write alt text that conveys what an image means

**Answer:** Alt text is descriptive text that conveys the meaning of an image. Alt text should be short and to the point and communicate the same information as the visual content.

## Section508.gov guidelines

- Alt text should not contain unnecessary information or repeat information already provided in the text.
- Write alt text in the same language as the main content.
- Photos: describe the content relevant to the surrounding context; "Dr. Martin Luther King Jr." beats a description of his suit and tie.
- Images that contain text: when possible, do not put text in an image; if one does, include the text word for word in the alt text.
- Logos are never decorative, so they require alt text.
- Decorative images: mark them decorative, or a screen reader may read the file name.

## Digital.gov

- All images require alt text for screen readers, and/or a caption.
- Be descriptive, yet succinct, and note if the image is an infographic, diagram, chart, photo, or logo.

## See also

- [plain-chart-states-its-message](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-chart-states-its-message/)
- [plain-visual-supports-main-message](https://iinventedlight.com/library/notes/plain-visual-supports-main-message/)

## Claims

- id: C1
  claim: Alt text conveys meaning.
  source: S1
  evidence: "descriptive text that conveys the meaning of an image in digital content"

- id: C2
  claim: Alt text should be short.
  source: S1
  evidence: "Alt text should be short and to the point."

- id: C3
  claim: Text in images should be included word for word.
  source: S1
  evidence: "include it in the alt text word for word"

- id: C4
  claim: Digital.gov asks for descriptive yet succinct alt text.
  source: S2
  evidence: "Be descriptive, yet succinct."

## Sources

- [S1] Authoring meaningful alternative text. Section508.gov (GSA). https://www.section508.gov/create/alternative-text/ . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.

- [S2] Digital.gov style guide. Digital.gov (GSA). https://digital.gov/style-guide/ . License: US government work, public domain. Accessed 2026-11-09.


License: this note is CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Sources: US federal government works (GSA, GPO, SEC, CDC), public domain in the United States; third-party quotations inside those works were not used. Text was condensed and changed from the originals.

---

Agents: [/agents.md](/agents.md) | [/.well-known/agent-library.json](/.well-known/agent-library.json).