mediaCaptions

Reports media elements without captions.

✅ This rule is included in the jsx logical preset.

Providing captions for media is essential for deaf users to follow along. Captions should be a transcription or translation of the dialogue, sound effects, and other relevant audio information.

Media elements (<audio> and <video>) should include a <track> element with kind="captions" to provide this accessibility feature. The only exception is that muted media does not require captions.

This is required for WCAG 1.2.2 and 1.2.3 compliance.

Examples

❌ Incorrect

<audio src="audio.mp3" />

<video src="video.mp4" />

<video>
  <track kind="subtitles" />
</video>

✅ Correct

<audio>
  <track kind="captions" />
</audio>

<video>
  <track kind="captions" />
</video>

<video muted />

When Not To Use It

If you’re not using media elements or have a different captioning system, you can disable this rule.

Further Reading

• WCAG 1.2.2: Captions (Prerecorded)
• WCAG 1.2.3: Audio Description or Media Alternative
• axe-core: audio-caption
• axe-core: video-caption

Equivalents in Other Linters

• ESLint: jsx-a11y/media-has-caption
• Oxlint: jsx_a11y/media-has-caption