---
title: Single Label per Form Field | Accessibility Rule
description: Form field must not have multiple label elements
source_url:
  html: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/form-field-multiple-labels
  md: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/form-field-multiple-labels/index.md
---
# Ensure form field does not have multiple label elements

Rule ID: form-field-multiple-labelsUser Impact: moderateGuidelines: WCAG 2.0

Each form field should be associated with only one `<label>` element to ensure clarity and accessibility.

## About This Rule

This rule ensures that form fields are not associated with multiple `<label>` elements, promoting clear and accessible form design. Adhering to this guideline helps prevent confusion for users, particularly those utilizing assistive technologies.

## Why It Matters

Associating multiple labels with a single form field can cause confusion for users, especially those relying on assistive technologies. Screen readers may read all associated labels consecutively, leading to redundancy and potential misunderstanding. Ensuring a one-to-one relationship between form fields and labels enhances usability and accessibility.

## How to Fix

Ensure that each form field has only one associated label:

- Use a single `<label>` element for each form control.
- Avoid assigning multiple `<label>` elements to the same form field.
- If additional descriptive text is necessary, consider using `aria-describedby` to reference supplementary information without assigning multiple labels.

### Example

#### Incorrect

Multiple labels associated with a single input field:

    <label for="username">User Name:</label>
    <label for="username">Enter your user ID</label>
    <input id="username" type="text" name="username">

#### Correct

A single label with additional descriptive text:

    <label for="username">User Name:</label>
    <input id="username" type="text" name="username" aria-describedby="usernameHelp">
    <span id="usernameHelp">Enter your user ID</span>

## Other Rules

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

- [frame-focusable-content](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/frame-focusable-content)
- [frame-title-unique](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/frame-title-unique)
- [frame-title](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/frame-title)
- [html-has-lang](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/html-has-lang)
- [html-lang-valid](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/html-lang-valid)