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Insufficient Touch Target Spacing

Undersized interactive elements need enough clear space between them so an imprecise tap still lands on the intended control.

WCAG Reference

Maps to: WCAG 2.5.8 Target Size (Minimum) | Applies to: WCAG 2.2 Introduced in: WCAG 2.2 | Level: AA | Read the official specification →

What this rule checks​

This is a screen-level rule. The scanner collects every interactive element that is visible, on-screen, enabled, and reachable by touch, then measures the edge-to-edge gap between each pair:

  • if the elements overlap or touch on both axes, the gap is zero
  • if they are separated on one axis only, the gap is that axis's separation
  • if separated on both axes, the gap is the diagonal distance between the nearest corners

A pair is reported when the gap is less than 8 points. Both elements in the pair are reported. A pair is skipped when both elements already meet the 44x44pt minimum (an intentional design, not a hazard), and parent-child pairs are also skipped, since a control nested inside another has zero gap by construction.

Why it matters​

WCAG 2.5.8 allows a target smaller than the minimum provided it is surrounded by enough clear space that an imprecise tap still lands correctly. The converse is the failure this rule detects: small targets crowded together, where the spacing offers no margin for error. A user with a tremor aiming at a 30pt icon 3pt from its neighbour will hit the neighbour a meaningful fraction of the time, and if the neighbour is "Delete", the consequence is not recoverable by trying again.

Common failure patterns​

  • rows of compact icon buttons in a toolbar or a table cell's accessory area
  • increment and decrement steppers with tightly packed arrows
  • inline "edit" and "delete" affordances placed side by side in a list row
  • densely packed tab bars or segmented controls with custom sizing

Remediation guidance​

  • increase the spacing to at least 8pt between adjacent small targets, or
  • enlarge both targets to 44x44pt, at which point the pair is exempt
  • prefer separating destructive actions from their neighbours by more than the minimum, or placing them behind a confirmation
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