JavaScript Element ariaRoleDescription Property

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
3 examples
Property
Decorative image with the word ARIAROLEDESCRIPTION

Definition

Element.ariaRoleDescription reflects the aria-roledescription attribute: a human-readable, author-localized description for the role of an element (MDN). Assistive technologies may announce that string instead of the default role name.

Read the notes below before you get or set this property. Prefer feature detection when support is limited.

Syntax

Use el.ariaRoleDescription. Start with this line.

JavaScript
el.ariaRoleDescription / el.ariaRoleDescription = value
CallWhat it does
el.ariaRoleDescription / el.ariaRoleDescription = valuePrimary signature.

Built into the browser. Read or assign el.ariaRoleDescription — no import required.

Library declarations
JavaScript
el.ariaRoleDescription / el.ariaRoleDescription = value

Parameters

ParameterDescription
Valid role / semanticsRequired. Real interaction model AT still uses
Description stringRequired. Non-empty, localized human text

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*The current value of el.ariaRoleDescription.

JavaScript Examples

Example 1 — Read ariaRoleDescription

Log the current custom role description from a widget.

JavaScript
const el = document.getElementById("myApplication");
console.log(el.ariaRoleDescription);
// "a description of this widget"

// HTML: role="application" aria-roledescription="…"
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Find the element. getElementById returns the application widget node.
  2. Read the reflection. ariaRoleDescription returns the aria-roledescription string.
  3. Keep the real role. role="application" still defines the interaction model.
  4. Missing attribute. If unset, many browsers return null.

Example 2 — Update the Description (MDN)

MDN: assign a new localized role description string.

JavaScript
const el = document.getElementById("myApplication");

console.log(el.ariaRoleDescription); // "a description of this widget"
el.ariaRoleDescription = "an updated description of this widget";
console.log(el.ariaRoleDescription); // "an updated description of this widget"
console.log(el.getAttribute("aria-roledescription"));
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Read the old string. The first log shows the initial description.
  2. Assign the property. Writing ariaRoleDescription updates the reflected attribute.
  3. Confirm both sides. Property and getAttribute match after the write.
  4. Localize. When the page language changes, translate this string too (MDN).

Example 3 — Clarify a Container as “slide”

MDN pattern: role="article" with a clearer role description.

JavaScript
const slide = document.createElement("div");
slide.setAttribute("role", "article");
slide.setAttribute("aria-labelledby", "slideheading");
slide.ariaRoleDescription = "slide";

const h = document.createElement("h1");
h.id = "slideheading";
h.textContent = "Quarterly Report";
slide.appendChild(h);

console.log(slide.role);                 // "article"
console.log(slide.ariaRoleDescription);  // "slide"
// AT may announce: "Quarterly Report, slide"
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Keep a real role. article remains the ARIA role.
  2. Add a clearer phrase. "slide" helps in a presentation app.
  3. Name the instance. The heading provides the accessible name.
  4. Result. Users may hear “Quarterly Report, slide” instead of the vaguer “article” (MDN).
Compatibility

Browser Support

Element.ariaRoleDescription is Baseline Widely available (MDN: across browsers since October 2023).

✓ Baseline · Widely available

Element.ariaRoleDescription

Supported in modern Chromium, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. Internet Explorer has no ariaRoleDescription IDL — use getAttribute / setAttribute there.

95% Modern browser support
Google Chrome Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox Supported · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari Supported · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge Supported · Chromium
Full support
Internet Explorer No native support · Use a polyfill
Polyfill
Opera Supported · Modern versions
Full support
Samsung Internet Supported · Android
Full support
Android WebView Supported · Modern WebView
Full support
Element.ariaRoleDescription Excellent

Bottom line: Safe for modern web apps. Use sparingly, keep a valid role, and verify announcements with real assistive technologies.

Frequently Asked Questions

It reflects the aria-roledescription attribute as a string — a human-readable, author-localized description for the role of an element that assistive technologies may announce instead of the default role name.
No. MDN marks Element.ariaRoleDescription as Baseline Widely available (since October 2023). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard.
Sparingly. MDN recommends it mainly to clarify non-interactive containers (for example group or region) or to give a more specific description to a widget — not to invent random role names users will not understand.
No. Keep a valid ARIA role (or implicit role). ariaRoleDescription only changes how that role is described; it does not change the element's real role or behavior.
ariaLabel names the element (what it is called). ariaRoleDescription describes the role type (what kind of control/container it is). Prefer clear roles and labels before custom role descriptions.
ariaRoleDescription is the primary custom role description. ariaBrailleRoleDescription is a rare shorter Braille form and generally requires aria-roledescription to be set as well (MDN).

Next: ariaRowCount

Learn the reflected aria-rowcount property for tables and grids.

ariaRowCount tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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