axe DevTools

Installation

axe DevTools is a browser extension.

Use the following links to install axe DevTools for your browser:

axe DevTools is not available for Safari.

How to use

Once installed, you can find the tool in dev tools in your browser.

On a Mac

  1. Open the page you want to test
  2. Select Command + Option + I to open dev tools

On a Windows device

  1. Open the page you want to test
  2. Select F12 to open dev tools

Select the axe DevTools option from the dev tools panel (you may need to select a + icon to see all tools)

You can then select 'Full page scan' to start the automated accessibility checks.

What results could look like

Screenshot showing results of the axe devtools Toolkit. With a list of issues classified by errors, alerts and best practice.

The toolkit shows any accessibility issues with your product or website. They will be labelled critical, serious, moderate or minor.

You should prioritise any that are labelled critical or serious.

These issues are for you to consider in the context of your own product or website.

What to do next

You need to check or verify that the accessibility issues the tool finds are issues, rather than false positives or false assurances.

If an issue is genuine, speak to your developer or design team to consider, then implement, a fix.

You can read guidance for how to manage and prioritise issues in the knowledge hub.


Information about this page
Created
1 August 2024
Last reviewed
1 August 2024
Last updated
1 August 2024
Reason this page exists
This page exists to help people understand how to use tools to test for, and understand accessibility issues in a product.
Suggest a change or comment
Issue 36