Alt Text Generator
Guide for writing effective alt text
Alt Text Generator is a free online tool from BrowserUtils that guide for writing effective alt text. It runs entirely in your browser — your data never leaves your device. No account required.
Be specific and concise
GoodGolden retriever catching a frisbee in a park
BadDog
Describe the content, not the format
GoodBar chart showing Q3 revenue up 15%
BadImage of a chart
Skip "image of" or "picture of"
GoodSunset over the Grand Canyon
BadPhoto of a sunset over the Grand Canyon
Use empty alt for decorative images
Goodalt=""
BadDecorative swirl pattern border
Include relevant text in images
GoodSign reading "Open 9am-5pm Monday-Friday"
BadStore sign
Convey the purpose, not just appearance
GoodSubmit button
BadGreen rectangle
How to use Alt Text Generator
- 1 Paste or type your input into the editor above.
- 2 The tool processes your data instantly — right in your browser, with nothing sent to a server.
- 3 Copy the result with one click or continue editing your input.
About Alt Text Generator
Free online alt text writing guide and practice tool. Learn to write effective image alt text with examples of good and bad practices for web accessibility. This tool runs entirely in your browser — your data is never sent to a server. Just paste your input, get instant results, and copy with one click. No sign-up or installation required.
Alt Text Generator specs
- Runtime
- 100% client-side (browser)
- Built on
- WCAG 2.2 contrast formulas (relative luminance per W3C spec) and ARIA 1.2 role mappings
- Cost
- Free — no account, no rate limits, no usage caps
- Browser support
- Chrome 90+, Firefox 88+, Safari 14+, Edge 90+
- Part of
- 299 developer tools on BrowserUtils (100% client-side)
Questions
How long should alt text be?
Alt text should generally be concise, ideally under 125 characters. Screen readers may truncate longer text. For complex images like charts, use a brief alt attribute and provide a longer description elsewhere on the page.
When should I use an empty alt attribute?
Use an empty alt attribute (alt="") for purely decorative images that add no informational content, such as background patterns or visual separators. This tells screen readers to skip the image entirely.
Should alt text start with "Image of" or "Photo of"?
No. Screen readers already announce the element as an image, so starting with "Image of" is redundant. Describe what the image shows directly, e.g., "Golden retriever catching a frisbee in a park" rather than "Image of a dog."
How do I write alt text for a chart or graph?
Summarize the key takeaway in the alt attribute (e.g., "Bar chart showing sales doubled from Q1 to Q4"). Provide the full data in a nearby table or long description linked with aria-describedby.
Does this alt text tool send my images to a server?
No. This is a guide and practice tool that runs in your browser. No images or text are uploaded or stored anywhere.
Comments
Related tools
More Accessibility
WCAG Contrast CheckerARIA Roles ReferenceHeading Hierarchy CheckerReadability ScoreColor Safe PaletteLink Text CheckerFocus Order Visualizer
View all Accessibility tools
Comments