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POUR Principles

The four principles#

Select a principle.

Interactive demo

POUR explorer

POUR principles

Information and UI must be presentable in ways users can sense.

  • Example: Text alternatives for images; captions for video.
  • Common failure: Icon-only status with no text or accessible name.
  • Takeaway: If someone cannot see or hear it, provide another channel.

Engineering takeaway#

When reviewing a control, ask all four questions: Can it be perceived? Operated? Understood? Exposed robustly to user agents and AT?

Next: Conformance & Success Criteria.