Select Element Must Have an Accessible Name

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Quick Reference

Element Code: AC-021

Issue: Dropdown select elements lack associated labels

Impact: Screen readers cannot identify what the dropdown is for

Fix: Add label element with for attribute matching select id

Detection: axe DevTools, WAVE, form audits

What Is This Issue?

Select dropdowns without labels leave users guessing about what they are selecting. This is especially problematic when there are multiple dropdowns on a page.

Why This Matters for Your Website

Form accessibility directly impacts conversion rates. Users who cannot identify form fields cannot complete purchases, registrations, or other key actions.

How to Fix This Issue

  1. Add label element:
  2. Or use aria-label: For dropdowns without visible labels

Tools for Detection

  • axe DevTools: Flags unlabeled selects
  • WAVE: Shows missing form labels

TL;DR (The Simple Version)

Your dropdown menus have no labels. Add a label element that describes what each dropdown is for, like "Select your country" or "Choose a size".

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