---
title: Standard Image Carousel
date: 2023-12-17T12:20:00-08:00
author: Josh Magness
canonical_url: "https://designsystem.umd.edu/components/standard-image-carousel"
section: Components
---
# Standard Image Carousel

The Standard Image Carousel display one image at a time. It is optimized for use on interior pages.
Displays 1 image at a time
## Dos
- Use on interior pages, articles, and detail pages
- Use with appropriately sized images (don’t scale small images up)
## Don'ts
- Don’t use with more than 8 images
- Don’t use long titles or text in the optional image captions
## Variations

[View component playground: Standard Image Carousel](https://playground.designsystem.umd.edu/?path=/story/components-carousels-standard-image-carousel--standard-light)

## Accessibility

### Built in accessibility

**Keyboard Accessible**
Users are able to use the keyboard to navigate through the actionable elements using the ‘Tab’ key to navigate/focus and ‘Enter’ or ‘Spacebar’ to activate and focus can be moved away from the component. WCAG 2.1.1: Keyboard; WCAG 2.1.2: No Keyboard Trap This navigation is done in sequential and logical order when there are multiple call to actions grouped together. WCAG 2.4.3: Focus Order

**Hover and Focus State**
Each actionable element within the carousel (e.g., navigation arrows, call to action links) has distinct styling on hover and focus. This provides a visual cue to the user that the element is focused and an action can be taken. WCAG 1.4.13: Content on hover or focus

**Color Contrast**
A contrast ratio of at least 4:5:1 between text and background color is ensured to enhance readability WCAG 1.4.3: Contrast (minimum)

**Responsive**
The component scales in relation to the to the screen size to prevent truncating content and reflows properly when zoomed up to 200% without horizontal scrolling WCAG 1.4.10: Reflow

### Requirements for use

**Image**
Provide effective alt text of the image that is concise and relevant. If the image is linked, the alt text should be succinct and descriptive of both the image and the linked content. Avoid phrases like “image of” since screen readers often already announce the type of element. WCAG 1.1: Text AlternativesDo not use an image to present text. True text should be used whenever possible, as it supports translation, is searchable, and is easier to maintain and customize.  WCAG 1.4.5: Images of Text

**Title**
Use a clear and concise title that describes the card content WCAG 2.4.6: Headings and Labels

**Body Text**
Write body text in clear and simple language. WCAG: 3.1.5: Reading Level Use descriptive link text for inline-links. WCAG 2.4.4: Link Purpose (In Context)

**Image Caption**
Write caption text in clear and simple language. WCAG: 3.1.5: Reading Level 

## Content Recommendations

Recommended character limits
| Title | 90 characters (180 max) | 
| Text Block | 450 characters  (900 max) | 
## Layout

The carousel takes the width of the content well on interior pages. Maximum of 8 slides. Slide navigation adjusts the width responsively if needed. Caption is optional. 

[View Figma design: Carousel - Standard Image](https://www.figma.com/file/YqgNlOMETaJbcI67sv8HUp/Downloadable-Components-File?type=design&node-id=106%3A5894&mode=design&t=Qxa1kHugTmM46Uy8-1)

## Guidelines

Don't set images to scroll through automatically.