WCAG 2.2 is the current version of the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and builds directly on WCAG 2.1. Every requirement in 2.1 carries forward into 2.2, with additional success criteria added at Levels A, AA, and AAA. The new criteria focus heavily on cognitive accessibility, mobile interaction patterns, and authentication usability.
WCAG is backwards compatible, so content that conforms to 2.2 also conforms to 2.1. The reverse is not true. A site meeting 2.1 AA may still miss requirements introduced in 2.2 AA.
What WCAG 2.2 Adds
The additions address issues that became more common with mobile devices, touch interfaces, and drag-based interactions. New criteria cover topics such as focus appearance, target size for pointer inputs, dragging movements, consistent help placement, redundant entry in forms, and accessible authentication that does not rely on cognitive function tests like remembering passwords or solving puzzles.
One AAA criterion from 2.1, parsing, was removed in 2.2 because modern browsers address the underlying issues.
Which Version to Reference
Most current legal and procurement frameworks reference WCAG 2.1 AA as the baseline. ADA Title II regulations for state and local government web content cite 2.1 AA. The European Accessibility Act also aligns with 2.1 AA through EN 301 549.
WCAG 2.2 AA is increasingly cited in updated VPATs and procurement contracts, and conforming to 2.2 positions a site ahead of regulatory shifts.
For new evaluations, 2.2 AA is the version to target. It covers everything 2.1 requires plus the updated criteria reflecting how people actually interact with digital products today.