Alt Text
01 Definition
Alt Text meaning: A short written description of an image that browsers and screen readers use in place of the picture.
Alt text is the text alternative you add to an image in HTML using the alt attribute. Screen readers read it aloud for people who cannot see the image, and search engines use it to understand the picture. It also shows when an image fails to load. Write it to describe the image clearly, not to cram in keywords.
Also called
Why it matters
How Alt Text fits the work
Good alt text supports accessibility and helps search engines index your images, which can improve visibility in image search and make your pages usable for more people.
In context
The alt text for a product photo reads "blue ceramic coffee mug with a rounded handle on a wooden table," describing what the image actually shows.
Practical note
Keep it concise and accurate. Purely decorative images should use an empty alt value so screen readers can skip them instead of reading meaningless text.