Focus order is the sequence in which focusable components receive focus during sequential navigation. More than one logical sequence may be appropriate; visual layout or importance ranking alone does not determine whether an order preserves meaning and operability.

For sequential keyboard navigation, WCAG 2.2 SC2.4.3 (Level A) gives a more specific rule: if a web page supports sequential navigation and the sequence affects meaning or operation, focusable components must receive focus in an order that preserves meaning and operability. W3C’s informative guidance allows focus order to differ from visual layout or programmatic reading order when understanding and operation are preserved; more than one logical order can satisfy the criterion. Visual prominence or an importance ranking alone does not establish that this requirement is satisfied.