# The “aria-describedby” attribute must not be used on any “label” element that is an ancestor of a labelable element.

> Canonical HTML version: https://rocketvalidator.com/html-validation/the-aria-describedby-attribute-must-not-be-used-on-any-label-element-that-is-an-ancestor-of-a-labelable-element
> Attribution: Rocket Validator (https://rocketvalidator.com)
> License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

The `aria-describedby` attribute is not allowed on a `<label>` element when that `<label>` contains a labelable element (such as `<input>`, `<select>`, `<textarea>`, or `<button>`).

`aria-describedby` points assistive technology at one or more elements that describe a control, referenced by their `id`. The description belongs on the control being described, not on its label. When a `<label>` wraps the control, the label already supplies the accessible name, so adding a description there leaves it unclear what the text is meant to describe.

That ambiguity is why the spec rejects the attribute on a `<label>` that is an ancestor of a labelable element. A "labelable element" is any element a `<label>` can be associated with: `<input>` (except `type="hidden"`), `<select>`, `<textarea>`, `<button>`, `<meter>`, `<output>`, and `<progress>`.

Move `aria-describedby` onto the form control so the description is announced for the element it actually refers to.

## Examples

### Invalid: `aria-describedby` on a `label` that wraps an input

```html
<label aria-describedby="password-hint">
  Password
  <input type="password" name="password">
</label>
<span id="password-hint">Use at least 8 characters.</span>
```

### Fixed: move it to the input

```html
<label>
  Password
  <input type="password" name="password" aria-describedby="password-hint">
</label>
<span id="password-hint">Use at least 8 characters.</span>
```