---
title: Page Needs an H1 Heading | Accessibility Rule
description: Page should contain a level-one heading
source_url:
  html: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/page-has-heading-one
  md: https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/page-has-heading-one/index.md
---
# Ensure that the page, or at least one of its frames contains a level-one heading

Rule ID: page-has-heading-oneUser Impact: moderateGuidelines: Best Practices

The `page-has-heading-one` rule ensures that a page or at least one of its frames contains a level-one heading (`<h1>`) or an element with `role="heading"` and `aria-level="1"`.

## What is being tested?

This rule checks that:

- The main document or at least one embedded frame contains a level-one heading.
- The level-one heading appears before the start of the main content.

## Why it matters

Screen reader users rely on keyboard shortcuts to navigate by heading levels. A properly placed `<h1>` at the start of the main content lets users jump directly to the main section, saving time and improving orientation.

Without an `h1`, blind or low-vision users must listen linearly to the entire page to understand its structure, unlike sighted users who can visually scan a page.

## Good markup example

    <h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>
    <main>
      <h2>About Us</h2>
      <p>Our company was founded in...</p>
    </main>

## Best practice for iframes

When embedding content with `<iframe>`, try to fit its heading hierarchy within the parent page. For example, if the parent page uses an `h1`, the iframe should ideally start with an `h2` if its content is a direct subsection.

## Best practices

- Include one and only one `h1` per page.
- Place the `h1` at the start of the main content area.
- Use `h2`, `h3`, etc., to organize subsections hierarchically.
- For iframes, align the heading level with the parent page when possible.

## Other Rules

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

- [presentation-role-conflict](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/presentation-role-conflict)
- [region](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/region)
- [scope-attr-valid](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/scope-attr-valid)
- [skip-link](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/skip-link)
- [tabindex](https://testingbot.com/support/accessibility/web/rules/tabindex)