Skip Link Generator

Skip links allow keyboard and screen reader users to jump past repeated navigation blocks directly to main content — required by WCAG 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks, Level A). Configure your skip links, preview them live, and copy the generated HTML, CSS, or React component code.

Configure Skip Links

Preview (Tab to reveal)

Tab through this area to reveal skip links →

<nav class="skip-links" aria-label="Skip links">
  <a href="#main-content" class="skip-link">Skip to main content</a>
  <a href="#main-nav" class="skip-link">Skip to navigation</a>
  <a href="#search" class="skip-link">Skip to search</a>
</nav>

<!-- Place these IDs on your landmark elements -->
<main id="main-content">…</main>
<main id="main-nav">…</main>
<main id="search">…</main>

Why Skip Links Matter

WCAG 2.4.1 (Level A) — "Bypass Blocks": A mechanism must be available to bypass blocks of content that are repeated on multiple pages. Skip links are the most reliable, widely-supported solution.

Without skip links, keyboard and screen reader users must navigate through the entire navigation bar on every page load before reaching main content.

Best practices: Place the skip link container as the very first element inside <body>. Use CSS to visually hide it until focused (not display:none which removes it from focus order).

Why This Matters

Without skip links, keyboard and screen reader users must Tab through every navigation item on every page before reaching the main content. WCAG SC 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks, Level A) requires a mechanism to skip repeated content. Skip links are the most reliable, cross-browser solution and are essential for any WCAG-compliant website.

How to Use This Tool

1
Configure links
Add skip links with a label (visible text) and a target ID matching your landmark element's ID attribute.
2
Preview
Tab through the preview area to see the skip link appear on keyboard focus.
3
Copy code
Copy the generated HTML, CSS, or React component code to add to your project.
4
Add IDs to landmarks
Make sure your <main>, <nav>, and other landmarks have the matching id attributes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do skip links disappear visually?

Skip links are hidden off-screen (using CSS position: absolute; top: -100%) and appear only on keyboard focus. This keeps the design clean while remaining accessible. They must NOT be hidden with display:none or visibility:hidden as that removes them from focus order.

Where should I place skip links?

As the very first child element inside <body>. This ensures they are the first thing keyboard users encounter when tabbing through the page.

Do I need skip links if I have ARIA landmarks?

Yes. While ARIA landmarks help screen reader users navigate, skip links are still required for WCAG 2.4.1 compliance. They are the primary mechanism for keyboard-only users who don't use screen readers.

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