Fix Guide

How to Add the HTML lang Attribute

Declare your page language so screen readers and Google interpret it correctly.

Easy Low Impact 2 min

Why It Matters

The lang attribute on <html> tells screen readers which pronunciation engine to use and helps search engines serve the right regional results. It is a one-line fix that's required for WCAG compliance.

How to Fix

Set lang on the html element

Use the correct BCP-47 code (e.g., en, en-US, ur).

Mark inline exceptions

If part of the page is in another language, wrap it with its own lang attribute.

Code Fix

html

Before (broken)

<html>

After (fixed)

<html lang="en">

Platform-Specific Instructions

WordPress

WordPress sets this from Settings → Site Language; if a theme hardcodes <html>, ensure it uses language_attributes().

Next.js

Set <html lang="en"> in the root layout.

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How to Add the HTML lang Attribute — Fix Guide | SlapMyWeb