Heading levels are skipped
The heading outline jumps a level (for example an h2 followed directly by an h4, with no h3 between).
Why it matters
The heading outline jumps a level (for example an h2 followed directly by an h4, with no h3 between). Screen-reader users navigate by heading level, so a skipped level makes the page structure read as if a section is missing. Use heading levels in order and style them with CSS if you need a different size. (The specific jump is in this finding's evidence.)
How ShipReady detects it
Per-page accessibility signals read straight from the fetched HTML — no extra requests. Page-scoped because images, forms and controls differ between routes (a marketing homepage vs a signup form), and the route carrying the form is the one worth seeing.
Detection is deterministic. ShipReady reports this only when it observes the condition directly, and prefers to miss a real problem over inventing one. Rule version 1.0.0.
How to fix it
This is the prompt ShipReady puts in your report — written to be pasted straight into Cursor, Claude Code, or whichever assistant built the app.
Your heading outline skips a level (for example an <h2> is followed directly by an <h4>, with no <h3> in between). Screen-reader users navigate by heading level, so a gap makes the structure read as if a section is missing. Fix it by choosing headings for their level in the document outline, not their visual size — an <h3> that needs to look larger should be styled with CSS, not promoted to an <h2>. Walk the page top to bottom and make sure levels only ever increase one step at a time.
Frequently asked questions
- What does "Heading levels are skipped" mean?
- The heading outline jumps a level (for example an h2 followed directly by an h4, with no h3 between).
- How serious is it?
- ShipReady rates this low. Worth fixing. Small individually, and they accumulate.
- How do I fix it?
- Paste the fix prompt on this page into Cursor, Claude Code or your AI editor. It is the same prompt ShipReady puts in your report.
- Can I check my own site?
- Yes — ShipReady scans up to ten pages of any public site for free and reports this alongside every other check. The free report lists every issue it finds and shows full evidence and a fix prompt for the critical and high-severity ones; medium and low findings are counted and unlock on Pro.
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