---
title: Wide Image Carousel
date: 2023-12-17T12:21:00-08:00
author: Josh Magness
canonical_url: "https://designsystem.umd.edu/components/wide-image-carousel"
section: Components
---
# Wide Image Carousel

The Wide Image Carousel displays an expanded main image with hints of the previous and upcoming image. 
Highly visual component for use on home pages and landing page templates
## Dos
- Use with 3 or more images
- Use with high-quality, high-resolution images
- Use on home and landing pages
## Don'ts
- Don’t use large amounts of text in optional caption
## Variations

Users can view images using a full-screen option that launches a full-screen slideshow allowing users to navigate forward and backward through images.

[View Figma design: Carousel - Wide Image](https://www.figma.com/design/YqgNlOMETaJbcI67sv8HUp/Downloadable-Components-File?node-id=51932-8486&t=t5B65o7AbtkVDM9f-1)

## 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

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

## Content Recommendations

Recommended character limits
| Title | 75 characters (150 max) | 
| Text Block | 250 characters (500 max) | 
Recommended Image Size
| Image dimensions | 1280px × 720px* | 
| Image aspect ratios | 16:9 | 
## Layout

Use on pages without sidebars. Slide navigation adjusts width responsively if needed. Title is optional.

[View Figma design: Wide Image Carousel - Anatomy](https://www.figma.com/design/YqgNlOMETaJbcI67sv8HUp/Downloadable-Components-File?node-id=51931-39379&t=t5B65o7AbtkVDM9f-1)

## Guidelines

Suggested intro for Wide Image Carousel is the Default Section Intro