A table caption and summary must not repeat each other

Rule table-caption-summary-distinct · Structure & semantics · impact minor · Static + live

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Why it matters#

A caption names the table; a summary describes how it is organised, for someone who cannot see its shape. When both carry the same words the screen-reader user hears the sentence twice and still learns nothing about the structure.

How to fix#

Keep the caption as the table’s name and either write a genuine structural description in the summary or remove it. The summary attribute is obsolete in HTML5 — a preceding paragraph or aria-describedby is preferred.

Example#

<table summary="Opening hours"><caption>Opening hours</caption><tr><th>Day</th></tr></table>

<table><caption>Opening hours</caption><tr><th>Day</th></tr></table>

WCAG success criteria#

1.3.1 Info and Relationships — Level A#

Structure and relationships conveyed visually (headings, lists, tables, labels, groups) must also be available programmatically.

Understanding 1.3.1

Standards#

This rule contributes to the following standards:

WCAG A EN 301 549

References#

• W3C — Caption & Summary