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( Perceivable / WCAG 1.3.1 )

List items are not contained within a list element

This check maps to Info and Relationships. Use the guidance below to confirm the issue, understand who it affects and ship a fix.

Moderate Level A WCAG 1.3.1 — Info and Relationships

What’s wrong

An <li> element is not a direct child of a <ul>, <ol>, or <menu> element.

Why it matters

Screen readers announce list items as part of a list — “list of 5 items, item 1”. When <li> elements are orphaned outside a proper list container, the list semantics break and screen readers may announce the count incorrectly.

How to fix it

Always wrap <li> elements inside <ul> or <ol>.

Before
<div>
  <li>First item</li>
  <li>Second item</li>
</div>
After
<ul>
  <li>First item</li>
  <li>Second item</li>
</ul>

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