Success Criteria

WCAG 1.2.1 Audio-only and Video-only (Prerecorded)

Success Criterion 1.2.1 requires that prerecorded audio-only and prerecorded video-only content have an alternative that presents equivalent information. It's a Level A criterion under Guideline 1.2 (Time-based Media).

The two cases

Audio-only (a podcast, a downloadable audio recording) needs a text transcript — someone who is deaf or hard of hearing has no other way to access spoken content with no visual component at all.

Video-only (a silent screen-capture demo, a product video with no narration or dialogue) needs a text description or an audio track describing what's shown — someone who is blind has no way to perceive visual-only content otherwise.

Why this is split from captions (1.2.2)

This criterion covers content that's only audio or only video — a full audio-visual video with both sound and picture is covered by separate criteria (1.2.2 Captions, 1.2.3 Audio Description). 1.2.1 exists specifically for the narrower, less common case where only one channel exists in the first place.

Practical guidance

A transcript is usually the simplest fix for audio-only content — plain text below the audio player satisfies the criterion without any additional production work. For video-only content, a text description (a paragraph summarizing what happens) or a narrated audio track both work; which one makes more sense usually depends on how much the video's content can be meaningfully condensed into words.

Common questions

What is WCAG 1.2.1?

A Level A criterion covering media with only audio or only video: audio-only needs a text transcript; video-only needs a transcript or an audio track describing it.

Does a podcast need a transcript?

Yes — prerecorded audio-only content requires a text transcript to satisfy 1.2.1.

What about a silent background video?

Prerecorded video-only content needs either a text description or an audio track conveying the same information.