As developers, we know every interactive element—buttons, dialogs, inputs—needs an accessible name. Good semantic HTML handles this automatically. But let’s face it, our apps get complicated. Sometimes, buttons only show icons, dialogs pull their titles from external components, or complex widgets break the neat semantic model. That’s where ARIA attributes come in. Specifically, aria-label and aria-labelledby help us provide clear,
screen-reader-friendly names. But they aren’t interchangeable. Knowing when to use each can save you debugging headaches down the line.
The Common Ground
First off, let’s review their similarities. Both aria-label and aria-labelledby override native labels provided by HTML. Both directly influence what assistive technologies like screen readers announce. Ideally, though, these ARIA attributes should be your fallback, not the go-to solution—semantic HTML labels are always best.
Quick side note: If you’re ever curious about the details, check out the Accessible Name Computation Algorithm.
Using aria-label: Direct and Hidden
aria-label lets you set an accessible name directly with a string—no extra DOM needed. Here’s a simple example you’ve probably seen before:
<button aria-label="Search">
<svg aria-hidden="true" focusable="false">...</svg>
</button>Perfect for icon buttons or elements that don’t have visible labels. But there’s a catch:
- It’s invisible to sighted users. If your visual UI doesn’t clearly indicate the button’s purpose, this can confuse people.
- It’s static and won’t automatically update with dynamic content changes.
- Localization is manual—you need to integrate these labels into your internationalization setup.
Use aria-label when simplicity outweighs these drawbacks—like icon-only buttons that stay consistent across languages.
aria-labelledby: Harness Visible Content
aria-labelledby points directly to visible content already on the page to build the accessible name. This is super helpful for complex widgets or dialogs:
<div role="dialog" aria-labelledby="dialog-title">
<h2 id="dialog-title">Settings</h2>
<!-- More dialog content -->
</div>This is great because:
- Updates to referenced elements automatically update the accessible name—handy for localization or dynamic UI changes.
- You can reference multiple IDs to build richer, descriptive names.
The downside? It requires stable IDs. Reference a missing ID, and your screen reader users will hear nothing—a silent fail you won’t catch easily without testing.
Picking the Right Attribute
Choosing between these two attributes boils down to visibility and localization:
- Visible text already on screen? Use
aria-labelledby. - Icon-only or hidden label? Use aria-label.
- Multiple languages or dynamic content? Lean heavily towards
aria-labelledby.
Following these simple guidelines can help keep your UI accessible and your codebase clean.
Common Mistakes (And How to Dodge Them)
Let’s get real: we’ve all made these mistakes:
- Using both attributes at once: Screen readers only honor
aria-labelledby. The leftover aria-label just confuses whoever touches your code next. - Referencing IDs that don’t exist: Silent errors are the worst. Double-check your references with automated tools like axe-core.
- Static English aria-labels on multilingual sites: Always leverage your translation pipeline or use
aria-labelledbywith translated DOM elements.
Quick example: Imagine a delete button labeled with aria-label="Delete" in English. When your app gets translated into Spanish, this button label stays stuck in English. Switching to aria-labelledby referencing a translated element solves it instantly.
Performance and Maintenance Tips
In frameworks like React or Vue, manage your DOM carefully. Always ensure referenced elements exist in the DOM before referencing components mount. Add automated accessibility checks (like Lighthouse) into your CI/CD setup. They’ll quickly catch misconfigured labels and help you maintain consistent accessibility.
Advanced Label Composition
Need more detail? Stack IDs with aria-labelledby:
<span id="action">Confirm</span>
<span id="item">your subscription</span>
<button aria-labelledby="action item">...</button>Now the screen reader clearly announces, “Confirm your subscription.”
Dynamic content? Even simpler:
const statusLabel = document.getElementById("status");
statusLabel.textContent = isExpired ? "Expired" : "Active";
// aria-labelledby references statusLabel automaticallyThis dynamic updating is invaluable for reactive or state-driven UI.
Testing Your Accessible Names
Don’t skip manual checks. Fire up VoiceOver, NVDA, or even JAWS and tab through your components the way real users do. Navigate end‑to‑end, listen for odd announcements, and confirm the focus order feels right. Then pair those spot checks with automated tools in CI so labeling issues get fixed long before code ships.
Wrapping Up: Making Strategic Choices
Understanding when to use aria-label versus aria-labelledby might seem minor, but it significantly impacts users’ experience. Choose aria-label for simplicity and directness, especially on icon-driven interfaces. Go with aria-labelledby when leveraging visible, dynamic, or localized content.
Remember, accessibility is about making your interfaces clear for everyone, not just users relying on assistive tech. The strategic use of these attributes ensures your app feels polished and intuitive.
Need a quick gut‑check? Schedule an ADA briefing with 216digital. We’ll walk through your codebase together and make sure every label—and the rest of your accessibility stack—hits the mark.