2.2.3 No Timing (Level AAA): WCAG explained. Axevoo

In plain English

The Level A rule (2.2.1) lets you have time limits as long as people can extend or turn them off. This AAA rule goes all the way: no time limits at all, except for things that are inherently live, like a real auction closing or a live stream.

For stores, the things to watch are countdown-to-buy timers and cart or session timeouts. Removing hard timers entirely meets this bar.

Who this is for

People who read, type, or navigate slowly, including many with cognitive, motor, or vision differences, who are penalised by any countdown.

How to check and fix it yourself

List anywhere a clock forces action: session timeouts, “complete in 10:00” checkout timers, limited-time popups. Real-time events (a live drop) are the only allowed exception.

Cart held indefinitely, no countdown.        ✓ meets this rule
Checkout must finish within 10 minutes.       ✗ (can still meet 2.2.1 if extendable)
Live auction with a genuine closing time.     ✓ allowed exception

Where we can help

We find every timer and timeout in your store and tell you which force action, so you can decide whether to remove them or make them adjustable for the required Level A rule. Timeouts that lose a cart are a painful common failure.

Frequently asked questions

What does no timing require?+

Success Criterion 2.2.3 (Level AAA) says timing is not an essential part of any activity on the page, except for real-time events such as live auctions or live streams. In other words, no countdowns or session timeouts that force people to act within a set time.

How is it stricter than 2.2.1?+

2.2.1 Timing Adjustable (Level A) allows time limits as long as people can turn them off, adjust them, or extend them. 2.2.3 (AAA) goes further: no time limits at all, apart from genuine real-time events where timing is intrinsic.

What about a checkout that reserves stock for a few minutes?+

A reservation timer is a time limit, so it would not meet this AAA rule. To meet the required Level A rule instead, make sure the timer can be extended or that losing it does not lose the customer's cart or entered data.

No Timing