Start here

How to check website accessibility in Chrome

By Alex Kim · Updated September 14, 2026

Install ADA Compliance Scanner in desktop Chrome, open a page, and choose Scan page. The free extension lists automated accessibility findings and lets you highlight elements or export a report. You do not need to know how to code to run a check.

1. Install and pin the extension

Open the official Chrome Web Store listing and choose Add to Chrome. Read Chrome’s permission prompt and confirm the installation. Open the Extensions menu beside the address bar and pin ADA Compliance Scanner if you want it within reach.

The extension runs in desktop Chrome on your computer. You do not upload your website or install anything on your web server. If a work-managed browser prevents installation, ask your browser administrator about its extension policy.

2. Open a page your visitors use

Start with your homepage or contact form. Wait for the page to finish loading, then open the scanner from Chrome’s toolbar. Choose Scan page. The check runs on the current rendered page, not every page on your domain.

For a WordPress site, use the visitor-facing page, not the editor. For a developer project, open its normal localhost address in Chrome. Open a menu or dialog before scanning if that is the experience you want to check.

3. Read one finding at a time

Start in Violations. Expand a finding to see its explanation, affected elements, and guidance. Highlight the element to connect the report with the page. “Color contrast,” for example, describes whether text stands out sufficiently against its background.

Also open Needs review for checks that require human judgment. Check the coverage notice for embedded content the scanner could not reach. The results guide explains the tabs and score.

Export the JSON report, or use Copy AI fix prompt if you work with a coding assistant. JSON is a structured text file your developer can inspect. Review exports before sharing: they can contain page addresses, page text, selectors, and, in the JSON report, HTML snippets.

EXAMPLE HANDOFF NOTEPage: [address of the page] State: contact form after submitting an empty required field Finding: [copy the rule and affected element] Expected: visitors can identify the field and understand its error Attachment: scanner report Please explain the fix and the manual checks still needed.

5. Recheck the actual change

After the website is updated, reload the page, recreate the same state, and choose Re-scan. An old cached result does not describe new code. Repeat the interaction with a keyboard and follow the manual testing checklist.

A useful starting point: automated findings help you prioritize work. A clean report does not certify ADA compliance or replace a full accessibility evaluation.

If the scan cannot run

Try an ordinary HTTP or HTTPS webpage. Chrome’s internal settings pages and the Chrome Web Store restrict extension access. Some embedded frames need additional permission; unscanned content remains outside the report. See the permissions and localhost guide for details.