---
title: Unique accesskey Attribute | Accessibility Rule
description: accesskey attribute value should be unique
source_url:
  html: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/accesskeys
  md: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/accesskeys/index.md
---
# Ensure every accesskey attribute value is unique

Rule ID: accesskeysUser Impact: seriousGuidelines: Best Practices

The `accesskey` attribute allows users to activate or focus on specific elements using keyboard shortcuts. To prevent unexpected behavior and enhance accessibility, each `accesskey` value within a document must be unique.

## About This Rule

This guideline ensures that each `accesskey` attribute value is unique, preventing conflicts and enhancing accessibility for keyboard users. Adhering to this practice aligns with the following standards:

## Why It Matters

Assigning duplicate `accesskey` values can cause conflicts, leading to unpredictable results when users attempt to use these shortcuts. This can hinder navigation and accessibility, particularly for users who rely on keyboard interactions, such as individuals with mobility impairments or those using assistive technologies.

## How to Fix

To ensure unique `accesskey` values:

- **Assign Unique Values:** Ensure that each `accesskey` attribute within the document has a distinct value. 

    <a href="https://www.google.com" accesskey="g">Google</a>
    <a href="https://www.github.com" accesskey="h">GitHub</a>

- **Avoid Conflicts with Browser Shortcuts:** Be cautious not to assign `accesskey` values that conflict with existing browser or assistive technology shortcuts. 
- **Consider User Awareness:** Since `accesskey` assignments are not always apparent to users, provide documentation or visible cues to inform them of available shortcuts. 
- **Evaluate Necessity:** Assess whether implementing `accesskey` attributes is beneficial for your audience, as they are not universally supported and may introduce complexity. 

### Examples

#### Incorrect

Multiple elements with the same `accesskey` value:

    <a href="https://www.google.com" accesskey="g">Google</a>
    <a href="https://www.github.com" accesskey="g">GitHub</a>

#### Correct

Elements with unique `accesskey` values:

    <a href="https://www.google.com" accesskey="g">Google</a>
    <a href="https://www.github.com" accesskey="h">GitHub</a>

## Other Rules

Interested in other web accessibility rules? Please see these other rules:

- [aria-allowed-role](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/aria-allowed-role)
- [aria-dialog-name](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/aria-dialog-name)
- [aria-text](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/aria-text)
- [aria-treeitem-name](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/aria-treeitem-name)
- [empty-heading](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/empty-heading)