Student | Blog | University of Essex

Staff | Blog | University of Essex

Staff Directory | University of Essex

Food and drink | Staff Directory | University of Essex

EDI resources, training and support | University of Essex

Pay, rewards and benefits | University of Essex

Vlogs | Blog | University of Essex

Blog | University of Essex

Alumni | Blog | University of Essex

Tags | Blog | University of Essex

All interactive components on a page, such as buttons or menus, should be far enough apart 
from other interactive areas, to avoid them being used by mistake. 

This ensures people with motor impairments can easily click or tap on the right element.

## How to fix

* Ensure all interactive elements are at least 24 CSS pixels wide and tall
* OR ensure there is at least 24 CSS pixels (minus the width and height of the element)
  between each interactive element

## Methodology

This check is run on both the mobile and desktop versions of every page. Results
for each may differ.

1. All interactive elements are identified, including buttons, links, and form controls.
2. If an element is not normally visible, it is ignored. This includes elements which
   are positioned offscreen or cropped (e.g. for 'screen-reader only' text).
3. If an element is larger than 24 CSS pixels in both dimensions, it passes.
4. Otherwise, the element is compared to all other elements on the page.
5. The minimum horizontal gap between the element is calculated as 24 CSS pixels,  
   minus the width of the element.
6. The minimum vertical gap between the element is calculated as 24 CSS pixels,  
   minus the height of the element.
7. If another element falls within the minimum horizontal or vertical gap, the 
   element fails, unless both are links that point to the same place.

## Further reading

* [Target Size (Minimum)](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Understanding/target-size-minimum.html)
* [Technique C42 - Using min-height and min-width to ensure sufficient target spacing](https://www.w3.org/WAI/WCAG22/Techniques/css/C42)

ensure-minimum-target-size

February 2026

January 2026

University of Essex

Title / URL	Issues
Student \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/student	65
Staff \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/staff	56
Staff Directory \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/staff	51
Food and drink \| Staff Directory \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/staff/food-and-drink	44
EDI resources, training and support \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/staff/edi-resources	39
Pay, rewards and benefits \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/staff/pay-and-rewards	37
Vlogs \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/vlog	36
Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog	36
Alumni \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/alumni	36
Tags \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/tags	36

Ensure interactive components are far enough apart

University of Essex

Where this issue has occurred