Together we will shape the future | Support Waterloo | University of Waterloo

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Home | University of Waterloo

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

January 2026

December 2025

University of Waterloo

Title / URL	Issues
Together we will shape the future \| Support Waterloo \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/support	15
Together we will shape the future \| Support Waterloo \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/support/	15
Faculties and Academics \| University of Waterloo \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/faculties-academics	10
Search \| Waterloo News \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/news/search_modal/nojs	9
Home \| Waterloo News \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/news/	9
Real Research \| Waterloo News \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/news/real-research	9
Offices and Services \| University of Waterloo \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/offices-services	5
Social media \| University of Waterloo \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/social-media	4
Home \| Admissions \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/admissions	3
Home \| University of Waterloouwaterloo.ca/	3

Ensure interactive components are far enough apart

University of Waterloo

Where this issue has occurred