Student | Blog | University of Essex

Staff | Blog | University of Essex

EDI resources, training and support | University of Essex

Pay, rewards and benefits | University of Essex

Blogs by our students | Blog | University of Essex

Tags | Blog | University of Essex

Blog | University of Essex

Research | Blog | University of Essex

Vlogs | Blog | University of Essex

Alumni | 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

November 2025

October 2025

University of Essex

	Title / URL	Issues
	Student \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/student	64
	Staff \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/staff	54
	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
	Blogs by our students \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/iamessex	36
	Tags \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/tags	36
	Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog	36
	Research \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/research	36
	Vlogs \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/vlog	36
	Alumni \| Blog \| University of Essexwww.essex.ac.uk/blog/categories/alumni	36

Ensure interactive components are far enough apart

University of Essex

Where this issue has occurred