Using images in content

Only use an image if it helps people understand the content or service. Before using an image, read Before you use images in web content.

Decorative images improve a page’s appearance but do not add meaning, functionality or essential information.

Even when an image is decorative, it should still be clear and not rely on hard‑to‑read text.

If an image does not add meaning, it is usually best to leave it out. Adding images that do not add value can clutter a page and distract from the main message.

What decorative images are

An image is decorative if people can still understand the content fully without seeing it.

They are not needed to complete a task or understand the information.

Examples include:

• stock photos that do not add new information (“eye-candy”)
• background images
• borders, icons, or graphics used only for visual style
• photos, illustrations, or graphics not essential to understanding the main text
• images that repeat information already explained in the text (redundant images)

Deciding if an image is decorative

Decide whether an image is decorative or informative based on why you are including it, not what it looks like.

If you are unsure, try reading the page without looking at the image:

• If the content is clear without the image, it is decorative.
• If the image is needed to understand the content, it is informative.

Images that repeat information (redundant images)

Images that repeat information, commonly referred to as redundant images, show information that is already fully explained in the text.

They may help some people, but they are not essential.

Because they add no new information, redundant images are treated as decorative so they can be skipped by screen readers. This avoids unnecessary repetition and helps people move through content more easily.

Learn more about using redundant images in Using informative images

Marking images as decorative

All decorative images must be set up so assistive technologies can ignore them.

How this is done depends on the platform. For example:

• on web pages, leave the alt text box empty so screen readers can skip the image
• in Word documents, mark the image as decorative using the Edit Alt Text option

Do not:

• add alt text or captions to decorative images, as this creates unnecessary noise for screen reader users
• type “decorative” into the alt text box

Learn more about using images in different types of content in How to create accessible content.