---
title: Don't Style <p> as Heading | Accessibility Rule
description: Styled <p> elements must not be used as headings
source_url:
  html: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/p-as-heading
  md: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/p-as-heading/index.md
---
# Make sure bold, italic text and font-size is not used to style \<p\> elements as a heading

Rule ID: p-as-headingUser Impact: seriousGuidelines: Experimental

The `p-as-heading` rule checks that `<p>` elements are not misused as headings by applying visual styles like bold, italic, or large font sizes. Headings should always be marked using `h1` through `h6` tags to provide meaningful structure for assistive technologies.

## What is being tested?

This rule checks whether:

- `<p>` tags are being used purely for styling headings.
- Proper semantic heading tags (`h1`–`h6`) are used to mark sections of the page.

## Why it matters

Sighted users can visually scan pages using font size and styling, but screen reader users rely on semantic headings to navigate content efficiently. Proper headings:

- Improve navigation for screen reader users.
- Provide an outline of the page’s structure.
- Help search engines understand and rank content better.

## How to fix the problem

- Replace styled `<p>` elements with appropriate heading elements (`<h1>`–`<h6>`).
- Use CSS to style headings instead of misusing paragraphs for visual effects.
- Follow a clear hierarchy: `h1` for main titles, `h2` for subsections, `h3` and lower for nested sections.

## Correct example

    <h1>Welcome to Our Site</h1>
    <h2>About Us</h2>
    <p>We offer great services.</p>

## Incorrect example

    <p style="font-size: 24px; font-weight: bold;">Welcome to Our Site</p>
    <p style="font-size: 20px; font-weight: bold;">About Us</p>

## Best practices

- Start the main content with an `<h1>`.
- Use subheadings (`<h2>`, `<h3>`, etc.) in order of hierarchy.
- Reserve `<p>` only for paragraphs, not for section titles.

## Other Rules

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

- [table-fake-caption](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/table-fake-caption)
- [td-has-header](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/td-has-header)
- [aria-roledescription](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/aria-roledescription)
- [audio-caption](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/audio-caption)
- [duplicate-id-active](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/duplicate-id-active)