Free ADA website checker: what a free scan can (and can't) tell you
Search for "ADA website checker" and you'll find many tools promising instant compliance. Here's the honest picture, so you can use free tools well without being misled.
What the ADA says about websites
The ADA doesn't contain a technical website standard. In practice, courts, settlements and US Department of Justice guidance usually point to the WCAG guidelines (Level AA) as the benchmark. No tool, including ours, can tell you you're "ADA compliant". That is a legal question, and this isn't legal advice.
What a free automated check does well
- Finds missing alt text, empty links and buttons, missing form labels, low contrast, missing page language and heading problems.
- Gives you a prioritised to-do list in minutes.
- Lets you re-check after fixing.
What it can't do
- Judge whether alt text or link text is meaningful.
- Test real keyboard and screen-reader use end to end (try our 5-minute keyboard test).
- Check PDFs, videos and third-party widgets thoroughly.
How to use a free checker
- Scan your homepage and your most important page (booking, contact or checkout).
- Fix the high-impact issues first.
- Do a keyboard test.
- Publish an honest accessibility statement with a way for people to report problems.
Red flags
Be wary of anything promising "100% compliance", "lawsuit protection" or a one-line script that "fixes everything". See overlays vs real fixes.
Related guides
- Restaurant website accessibility: menus, ordering and reservations
- Dental and medical practice website accessibility checklist
- Law firm website accessibility: a practical checklist
- Accessibility statement template (free) and how to write one
Check your own site
Run a free homepage snapshot to see your top 3 issues, or order the $149 Fix-Pack for up to 10 pages with copy-paste fixes.