How the <abbr> element is defined and exposed, along with the title attribute:

  • § 4.5.9 The abbr element from WHATWG.
  • ARIA in HTML entry on <abbr> notes it has no implicit role and naming is prohibited.
  • Which is probably why Core Accessibility API Mappings 1.2 does not list it.
  • HTML Accessibility API Mappings 1.0 § 3.4.3 abbr notes it has no special exposure in platform AAPIs and § 3.5.135 title defers the attribute to Accessible Name and Description Computation.
  • Accessible Name and Description Computation 1.2 ED § 4.2 Description Computation lists title as the lowest priority for any role.

This broadly tells us what to expect from <abbr title>. But it’s still a bit of guessing game to know how users will actually experience it.

Testing

A black ceramic mug with a handle, except instead of the front of the mug following the general round shape, it extends out almost like a large human nose, and at the top of the mug where the bridge of the nose hits the rim, there are two stubby horizontal wings extending the rim. Why guess when we can test?

Join NASA for a briefing on its zero-G espresso cup, powered by capillary action! 

<p>
Join <abbr title="National Aeronautics and Space Administration">NASA</abbr> for a briefing on its zero-G espresso cup, powered by capillary action!
</p>

Windows 11 23H2

Firefox 121
Default style of dotted underline.
Exposes the title as the name on an element with the generic implicit role.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as tool-tip with Voice Access unless I use it to control the mouse.
NVDA 2023.3
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When using virtual cursor, does not announce title.
Does not expose title in Braille display.
Chrome 120
Default style of dotted underline.
Exposes the title as the name on an element with the abbr implicit role.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as tool-tip with Voice Access unless I use it to control the mouse.
JAWS 2024.2312.53
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When using virtual cursor, does not announce title.
Does not expose title in Braille display.
Edge 120
Default style of dotted underline.
Exposes the title as the name on an element with the abbr implicit role.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as tool-tip with Voice Access unless I use it to control the mouse.
Narrator / Windows 11 23H2
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When using virtual cursor, announces title and then requires another keypress to announce visible text.

macOS 14.2.1

Safari 17.2.1
No default style.
Exposes the title as the label on an element with no matching role.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as name with Voice Control when asking to show names.
VoiceOver
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When using virtual cursor, announces visible text and then title.
Does not expose title in Braille display.

Ubuntu 22.04.2 LTS

Firefox 115
Default style of dotted underline.
Exposes the title as the name on an element with the generic implicit role.
Displays title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Orca
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When using virtual cursor, does not announce title.

Android 14

Firefox 121
Default style of dotted underline.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as name with Voice Access when asking to show names.
TalkBack 14.1
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When swiping through content, does not announce title.
When using explore-by-touch, does not announce title.
Chrome 120
Default style of dotted underline.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as tool-tip with keyboard.
Does not display title as name with Voice Access when asking to show names.
TalkBack 14.1
When using read-all, only announces title.
When swiping through content, only announces title.
When using explore-by-touch, only announces title.

iPadOS 17.2

Safari 17.2
No default style.
Does not display title as tool-tip with touch.
Does not display title as name with Voice Control when asking to show names.
VoiceOver
When using read-all, does not announce title.
When swiping through content, does not announce title.
When using explore-by-touch, does not announce title.

Verdict

Don’t use <abbr>. Also don’t use it with title. Exposure continues to be inconsistent across browsers and assistive technologies. Some set of users will always miss some piece of information.

Explain abbreviations, acronyms, initialisms, numeronyms, etc. on first use and then feel free to fall back to the shortened form. The test sentence might then be:

Join National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for a briefing on its zero-G espresso cup, powered by capillary action!