HTML Lang Attribute Checker
Check any webpage for a valid HTML lang attribute. Instant results showing lang value, text direction, and accessibility compliance status.
How to Check the HTML Lang Attribute
Enter the URL
Paste any webpage URL into the input field.
Click Check Lang
Click Check Lang and the tool reads the html lang attribute.
Review Your Results
See the language code declared and whether it matches your content.
Set the Right Lang Attribute for Search and Screen Readers
The html lang attribute tells screen readers which pronunciation rules to use and helps search engines route the page to the right country. The checker reads any URL and reports the declared language code in seconds.
Critical for multilingual sites, accessibility audits, and anyone running hreflang setups where lang and content must agree across versions.
Why Use This HTML Lang Checker
Instant URL Audit
Enter any URL and instantly check whether the HTML tag has a valid lang attribute, no login, no setup.
WCAG Accessibility Check
A missing lang attribute violates WCAG 2.1 criterion 3.1.1. This tool helps you stay compliant and accessible to all users.
Full Attribute Details
See the exact lang value, text direction (dir), xml:lang, and a live HTML tag preview for the checked page.
No Login Required
Works on any public URL, your site, a competitor, or a client page. Completely free with no account needed.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the HTML lang attribute and how to use this checker.
What is the HTML lang attribute and why does it matter?
The lang attribute on the <html> tag declares the primary language of the page content. It is used by screen readers to select the correct voice, by browsers to offer translation, and by search engines to target your content to the right language audience.
Does a missing lang attribute affect SEO?
Yes. Without a lang attribute, Google may misidentify your content language, which can hurt your visibility in language-specific search results. It also sends a negative signal for international and multilingual SEO strategies.
Is the lang attribute required for accessibility?
Yes. WCAG 2.1 Success Criterion 3.1.1 (Language of Page) requires that the default human language of each webpage can be programmatically determined. The lang attribute on the <html> tag is the standard way to satisfy this requirement.
What is the difference between lang and xml:lang?
The lang attribute is the HTML5 standard. xml:lang is the XHTML/XML equivalent. For modern HTML5 pages, only lang is needed. Some older sites set both for compatibility with XHTML parsers, which is harmless.
What does the dir attribute do and should I include it?
The dir attribute specifies text direction: ltr (left-to-right) for most languages, or rtl (right-to-left) for Arabic, Hebrew, Persian, etc. It is optional for LTR languages but strongly recommended for RTL pages to ensure correct text rendering in all browsers.