Level AAWCAG 2.2
3.3.3 Error Suggestion
If an input error is detected and suggestions for correction are known, they are provided to the user.
Why it matters
Cognitive impairment
'Invalid input' alone does not let users guess what's wrong. Concrete suggestions make correction possible.
Screen readers
If suggestions are programmatically associated, users can act on them immediately through speech.
Older users
Concrete instructions like 'Include an @ character' are especially helpful for users less familiar with technology.
All users
Specific error suggestions can improve form completion rates by up to 50% according to some studies.
Live demo
Error suggestions
Vague error message
Persona perspective
Kimura (19) — Learning disability (dyslexia)
I often misspell email addresses, but if I'm told 'an @ is missing', I can fix it myself. If all I hear is 'invalid', I make the same mistake repeatedly and give up.