Frequently asked questions
How AccessLumens works, what it costs, and what its results do (and don't) mean.
What is AccessLumens?
AccessLumens is an automated accessibility testing service for websites and PDF documents. Enter any public website, or upload a PDF, and it checks against WCAG 2.2 Level A and AA success criteria (plus the PDF/UA document standard for PDFs), then gives you a scored, prioritized report of the issues it finds — with the affected elements and guidance to fix them.
How does the accessibility scan work?
You enter a URL and choose a scan type. AccessLumens loads the page(s) in a real browser, runs an accessibility engine (axe-core) plus additional keyboard and reflow checks, groups and deduplicates the findings, and calculates an overall score. A free scan shows a summary; unlocking the complete report (your first one is free, then from $5 per scan) reveals every issue with CSS selectors, HTML snippets, and remediation guidance.
Can AccessLumens check PDF documents too?
Yes. Upload a PDF and it is checked against WCAG 2.2 AA and the PDF/UA standard (ISO 14289-1, and optionally PDF/UA-2) — tags and reading order, alternative text, headings, tables, language, metadata, and automated colour contrast measured from the rendered page. You get the same scored, prioritized report with evidence and fixes. Uploaded files are deleted as soon as the check finishes.
What is WCAG 2.2, and which level do you check?
WCAG 2.2 (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) is the international standard for web accessibility. AccessLumens evaluates against Level A and AA success criteria — the levels most accessibility laws and policies reference.
How much of accessibility can automated testing actually catch?
Automated tools can reliably evaluate roughly 35% of WCAG 2.2 AA success criteria. Many criteria need human judgment — for example, whether alt text is meaningful or whether the reading order makes sense. AccessLumens is built to complement, not replace, manual testing; the full breakdown is on our Methodology page.
What's the difference between single-page, full-site crawl, and user-journey scans?
A single-page scan checks one URL. A full-site crawl discovers and scans multiple pages across the site. A user-journey scan runs in your own browser via our extension and analyzes each page and interactive state as you actually navigate — useful for flows behind logins, forms, and dynamic content a crawler can't reach.
Is the scan really free?
Yes. Running a scan and viewing the summary is free with no signup. Your first complete report is free too - just enter your email on the report page to unlock it. After that, unlocking a complete report starts at a one-time $5 per scan - every issue, with CSS selectors, code snippets, and remediation guidance.
How much does it cost, and what are the plans?
Scanning is always free. To unlock a complete report you can pay per scan at $5, buy a 10-Pack for $29 ($2.90 per scan, credits valid 6 months), or take Unlimited at $49 a month for unlimited website and PDF checks. Every plan covers both products on one balance, and you pick a plan at the moment you unlock a report - see the Pricing page for the full comparison.
Do my credits work for both website scans and PDF checks?
Yes. Credits are a single shared balance, so a 10-Pack can be spent on ten website reports, ten PDF documents, or any mix. Packs and Unlimited come with a licence key, shown at the top of the report you unlock - save it, then paste it into any future report to unlock that one too. No account required.
Do I need an account or a subscription?
No account, ever - checkout only asks for an email address. A subscription is optional: Unlimited exists for teams testing continuously, but pay-per-scan and packs are one-time payments with no recurring charge.
How is the accessibility score calculated?
The score reflects the number and severity of issues found relative to the pages scanned, using a consistent severity-weighted model. The exact methodology — including how severity is weighted and the model's known limitations — is documented on our Methodology page.
Where is AI used, and is my data sent to AI providers?
AI is used to write the plain-language executive summary and remediation guidance — not to detect issues, which is rule-based. Exactly what is and isn't sent to AI providers is spelled out on our AI Disclosure page.
Do you store the websites I scan or my data?
We store scan results so you can return to your report, and we don't sell your data. Our Privacy Policy covers exactly what's collected, how long it's kept, and your rights.
Does a good score mean I'm legally compliant (ADA / Section 508)?
No. A high score means few automatically-detectable issues, but automated testing can't confirm legal compliance — that requires manual evaluation and often expert review. AccessLumens helps you find and prioritize issues; it is not a certification of compliance. See our Accessibility Disclaimer.
What if my report download fails — do I get a refund?
You don't need one. Unlocking a report is permanent, so if a download is interrupted you can re-download it anytime from your report page at no extra charge. Per-scan and pack payments are one-time and generally non-refundable, since reports are digital goods delivered instantly; the Unlimited subscription can be cancelled any time and simply stops renewing. If a report genuinely failed to generate, or you were charged in error, email support@accesslumens.com and we'll fix it — by re-issuing the report or refunding the charge.
Comparing plans? The pricing page lists every tier, what each report includes, and how shared credits work.