HTML Tag Quick Reference

In the following table, we list in alphabetical order all the known and some undocumented HTML tags and attributes currently supported by one or more of today's browsers.

You will notice a minus sign (-) in the far right column of certain tags and attributes. These indicate tags not supported by Netscape.

We include each tag's possible attributes (some required) indented below their respective tags. In the description, we give possible attribute values as either a range of integer numbers or a definitive list of options, where possible.

Some tag and attribute names are abbreviated forms of longer names; the expansion of these names appear in square brackets in the tag or attribute description.

<a> ... </a> [Anchor] Create a hyperlink (href attribute) or fragment identifier (name attribute)
href=url [Hypertext Reference] Specify the URL of a hyperlink target (required if not a name anchor)
methods=list Specify a comma-separated list of browser-dependent presentation methods
name=string Specify the name of a fragment identifier (required if not a hypertext reference anchor)
rel=relationship Indicate the relationship from this document to the target
rev=relationship Indicate the [reverse] relationship of the target to this document
target=name Define the name of the frame or window to receive the referenced document
title=string Provide a title for the target document
urn=urn Specify the location-independent [Universal Resource Name] for this hyperlink
<address> ... </address> The enclosed text is an address
<applet> ... </applet> Define an executable applet within a text flow
align=position Align the <applet> region to either the top, middle, bottom (default), left, right, absmiddle, baseline, or absbottom of the text in the line
alt=string Specify alternative text to replace the <applet> region within browsers that support the <applet> tag, but cannot execute the application
code=class Specify the class name of the code to be executed (required)
codebase=url URL from which the code is retrieved
height=n Specify the height, in pixels, of the <applet> region
hspace=n Specify additional space, in pixels, to allow to the left and right of the <applet> region
name=string Specify the name of this particular instance of the <applet>
vspace=n Specify additional space, in pixels, to allow above and below the <applet> region
width=n Specify the width, in pixels, of the <applet> region
<area> Define a mouse-sensitive area in a client-side image map
coords=list Specify a comma-separated list of shape-dependent [coordinates] that define the edge of this area
href=url [Hypertext Reference] Specify the URL of a hyperlink target associated with this area
nohref Indicate that no document is associated with this area; clicking in the area has no effect
shape=shape Define the region's shape to be either circ, circle, poly, polygon, rect, or rectangle
<b> ... </b> Format the enclosed text using a [bold] typeface
<base> Specify the base URL for all relative URLs in this document
href=url [Hypertext Reference] Specify the base URL (required)
target=name Define the default target of all <a> links in the document
<basefont> Specify the font size for subsequent text
size=value Set the basefont size of 1 to 7 (required; default is 3)
<bgsound> Define background audio for the document (Internet Explorer only) -
loop=value Set the number of times to play the audio; value may be an integer or the value infinite -
src=url Provide the URL of the audio file to be played -
<big> ... </big> Format the enclosed text using a bigger typeface
<blockquote> ... </blockquote> The enclosed text is a block quotation
<body> ... </body> Delimit the beginning and end of the document body
alink=color Set the color of active hypertext links in the document
background=url Specify the URL of an image to be tiled in the document background
bgcolor=color Set the background color of the document
bgproperties=value With value set to fixed, prevent the background image from scrolling with the document content -
leftmargin=value Set the size, in pixels, of the document's left margin -
link=color Set the color of unvisited hypertext links in the document
text=color Set the color of regular text in the document
topmargin=value Set the size, in pixels, of the document's top margin -
vlink=color Set the color of visited links in the document
<br> [Break] the current text flow, resuming at the beginning of the next line
clear=margin Break the flow and move downward until the desired margin, either left, right, or all, is clear
<caption> ... </caption> Define a caption for a table
align=position For Netscape, set the vertical position of the caption to either top or bottom. For Internet Explorer, set the horizontal alignment of the caption to either left, center, or right.
valign=position For Internet Explorer, set the vertical position of the caption to either top or bottom -
<center> ... </center> Center the enclosed text
<cite> ... </cite> The enclosed text is a [Citation]
<code> ... </code> The enclosed text is a code sample
<comment> ... </comment> For Internet Explorer only, place a comment in the document. Comments will be visible in all other browsers. -
<dd> ... </dd> [Definition Definition] Define the definition portion of an element in a definition list
<dfn> ... </dfn> Format the enclosed text as a [definition]
<div> ... </div> [Division] Create a division within a document
align=type Align the text within the division to left, center, or right
<dir> ... </dir> Create a [Directory] list containing <li> tags
compact Make the list more compact if possible
<dl> ... </dl> Create a [definition list] containing <dt> and <dd> tags
compact Make the list more compact if possible
<dt> ... </dt> Define the [definition term] portion of an element in a definition list
<em> ... </em> Format the enclosed text with additional [emphasis]
<font> ... </font> Set the size or color of the enclosed text
color=color Set the color of the enclosed text to the desired color
face=list Set the typeface of the enclosed text to the first available font in the comma-separated list of font names -
size=value Set the size to absolute size 1 to 7, or relative to the <basefont> size using +n or -n (required)
<form> ... </form> Delimit a form
action=url Specify the URL of the application that will process the form (required)
enctype=encoding [Encoding Type] Specify how the form element values will be encoded
method=style Specify the parameter-passing style, either get or post (required)
<frame> ... </frame> Define a frame within a frameset
marginheight=n Place n pixels of space above and below the frame contents
marginwidth=n Place n pixels of space to the left and right of the frame contents
name=string Define the name of the frame
noresize Disable user resizing of the frame
scrolling=type Always add scrollbars (yes), never add scrollbars (no), or add scrollbars when needed (auto)
src=url Define the URL of the source document for this frame
<frameset> ... </frameset> Define a collection of frames or other framesets
cols=list Specify the number and width of frames within a frameset
rows=list Specify the number and height of frames within a frameset
<hn> ... </hn> The enclosed text is a level n [header]; for level n from 1 to 6
align=type Specify the heading alignment as either left (default), center, or right
<head> ... </head> Delimit the beginning and end of the document head
<hr> Break the current text flow and insert a [horizontal rule]
align=type Specify the rule alignment as either left, center (default), or right
noshade Do not use 3D shading to render the rule
size=pixels Set the thickness of the rule to an integer number of pixels
width=value or % Set the width of the rule to either an integer number of pixels or a percentage of the page width
<html> ... </html> Delimit the beginning and end of the entire [HyperText Markup Language] document
version=string Indicate the HTML version used to create this document
<i> ... </i> Format the enclosed text in an [italic] typeface
<img> Insert an [image] into the current text flow
align=type For Mosaic and Internet Explorer, align the image to either the top, middle, bottom (default), left, or right of the text in the line. For Netscape Navigator, additionally to the absmiddle, baseline, or absbottom of the text.
alt=text Provide alternative text for non-image-capable browsers
border=n Set the pixel thickness of the border around images contained within hyperlinks
controls Internet Explorer only, add playback controls for embedded video clips -
dynsrc=url Specify the URL of a video clip to be displayed -
height=n Specify the height of the image in scan lines
hspace=n Specify the space, in pixels, to be added to the left and right of the image
ismap Indicate that the image is mouse-selectable when used within an <a> tag
loop=value Set the number of times to play the video; value may be an integer or the value infinite -
lowsrc=url Specify a low-resolution image to be loaded by the browser first, followed by the image specified by the src attribute
src=url Specify the [source] URL of the image to be displayed (required)
start=start Specify when to play the video clip, either fileopen or mouseover -
usemap=url Specify the map of coordinates and links that define the hypertext links within this image
vspace=n Specify the [vertical space], in pixels, added at the top and bottom of the image
width=n Specify the width of the image in pixels
<input type=checkbox> Create a checkbox input element within a <form>
checked Mark the element as initially selected
name=string Specify the name of the parameter to be passed to the form-processing application if the input element is selected (required)
value=string Specify the value of the parameter sent to the form-processing application if this form element is selected (required)
<input type=file> Create a file-selection element within a <form>
maxlength=n Specify the maximum number of characters to accept for this element
name=string Specify the name of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
size=n Specify the number of characters to display for this element
<input type=hidden> Create a hidden element within a <form>
maxlength=n Specify the maximum number of characters to accept for this element
name=string Specify the name of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
size=n Specify the number of characters to display for this element
value=string Specify the value of this element that is passed to the form-processing application
<input type=image> Create an image input element within a <form>
align=type Align the image to either the top, middle, or bottom of the form element's text
name=string Specify the name of the parameter to be passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
src=url Specify the [source] URL of the image (required)
<input type=password> Create a content-protected text-input element within a <form>
maxlength=n Specify the maximum number of characters to accept for this element
name=string Specify the name of the parameter to be passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
size=n Specify the number of characters to display for this element
value=string Specify the initial value for this element
<input type=radio> Create a radio-button input element within a <form>
checked Mark the element as initially selected
name=string Specify the name of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application if this input element is selected (required)
value=string Specify the value of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application if this element is selected (required)
<input type=reset> Create a reset button within a <form>
value=string Specify an alternate label for the reset button (default is ``Reset'')
<input type=submit> Create a submit button within a <form>
name=string Specify the name of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
value=string Specify an alternate label for the submit button, as well as the value passed to the form-processing application for this parameter if this button is clicked
<input type=text> Create a text input element within a <form>
maxlength=n Specify the maximum number of characters to accept for this element
name=string Specify the name of the parameter that is passed to the form-processing application for this input element (required)
size=n Specify the number of characters to display for this element
value=string Specify the initial value for this element
<isindex> Create a ``searchable'' HTML document
action=url For Internet Explorer only, provide the URL of the program that will perform the searching action
prompt=string Provide an alternate prompt for the input field
<kbd> ... </kbd> The enclosed text is [keyboard]-like input
<li> ... </li> Delimit a [list item] in an ordered (<ol>) or unordered (<ul>) list
type=format Set the type of this list element to the desired format. For <li> within <ol>: A (capital letters), a (lowercase letters), I (capital Roman numerals), i (lowercase Roman numerals), or 1 (Arabic numerals; default). For <li> within <ul>: circle, disc (default), or square.
value=n Set the number for this list item to n
<link> Define a link between this document and another document in the document <head>
href=url Specify the [hypertext reference] URL of the target document
methods=list Specify a browser-dependent list of comma-separated display methods for this link
rel=relation Indicate the relationship from this document to the target
rev=relation Indicate the [reverse] relationship from the target to this document
title=string Provide a title for the target document
urn=urn Provide the location-independent [Universal Resource Name] for the target document
<listing> ... </listing> Same as <pre width=132> ... </pre>; deprecated: don't use
<map> ... </map> Define a map containing hotspots in a client-side image map
name=string Define the name of this map (required)
<marquee> ... </marquee> Create a scrolling-text marquee (Internet Explorer only) -
align=position Align the marquee to the top, middle, or bottom of the surrounding text -
behavior=style Define marquee style to be scroll, slide, or alternate -
bgcolor=color Set the background color of the marquee -
direction=dir Define the direction, left or right, the text is to scroll -
height=value Define the height, in pixels, of the marquee area -
hspace=value Define the space, in pixels, to be inserted left and right of the marquee -
loop=value Set the number of times to animate the marquee; value is an integer or infinite -
scrollamount=value Set the number of pixels to move the text for each scroll movement -
scrolldelay=value Specify the delay, in milliseconds, between successive movements of the marquee text -
vspace=value Define the space, in pixels, to be inserted above and below of the marquee -
width=value Define the width, in pixels, of the marquee area -
<menu> ... </menu> Define a menu list containing <li> tags
compact Make the list more compact
<meta> Provides additional information about a document
content=string Specify the value for the meta-information (required)
http-equiv=string Specify the [HTTP equivalent] name for the meta-information and cause the server to include the name and content in the HTTP header for this document when it is transmitted to the client
name=string Specify the name of the meta-information
<nextid> Define the labeling start point for automatic document-generation tools
n=n Indicate the starting label number (required)
<nobr> ... </nobr> [No break]s allowed in the enclosed text
<noframes> ... </noframes> Define content to be presented by browsers that do not support frames
<ol> ... </ol> Define an [ordered list] containing numbered (ascending) <li> elements
compact Present the list in a more compact manner
start=n Start numbering the list at n, instead of 1
type=format Set the numbering format for this list to either A (capital letters), a (lowercase letters), I (capital Roman numerals), i (lowercase Roman numerals), or 1 (Ararbic numerals; default)
<option> ... </option> Define an option within a <select> item in a <form>
selected Make this item initially selected
value=string Return the specified value to the form-processing application instead of the <option> contents
<p> ... </p> Start and end a [paragraph]
align=type Align the text within the paragraph to left, center, or right
<param> ... </param> Supply a parameter to a containing <applet>
name=string Define the name of the parameter
value=string Define the value of the parameter
<plaintext> Render the remainder of the document as preformatted plain text
<pre> ... </pre> Render the enclosed text in its original, [preformatted] style, honoring line breaks and spacing verbatim
width=n Size the text, if possible, so that n characters fit across the display window
<s> ... </s> The enclosed text is struck through with a horizontal line -
<samp> ... </samp> The enclosed text is a [sample]
<select> ... </select> Define a multiple-choice menu or scrolling list within a <form>, containing one or more <option> tags
multiple Allow user to select more than one <option> within the <select>
name=string Define the name for the selected <option> values that, if selected, are passed to the form-processing application (required)
size=n Display n items using a pulldown menu for size=1 (without multiple specified) and a scrolling list of n items otherwise
<small> ... </small> Format the enclosed text using a smaller typeface
<strike> ... </strike> The enclosed text is struck through with a horizontal line
<strong> ... </strong> Strongly emphasize the enclosed text
<sub> ... </sub> Format the enclosed text as a [subscript]
<sup> ... </sup> Format the enclosed text as a [superscript]
<table> ... </table> Define a table
align=position Align the table either left or right and flow the subsequent text around the table
bgcolor=color Define the background color for the entire table -
border=n Create a border n pixels wide
bordercolor=color For Internet Explorer, define the border color for the entire table -
bordercolordark=color For Internet Explorer, define the dark border-highlighting color for the entire table -
bordercolorlight=color For Internet Explorer, define the light border-highlighting color for the entire table -
cellpadding=n Place n pixels of padding around each cell's contents
cellspacing=n Place n pixels of spacing between cells
hspace=n Specify the [horizontal space], in pixels, added at the left and right of the table
valign=position Align text in the table to either the top, center, or right and flow the subsequent text around the table -
vspace=n Specify the [vertical space], in pixels, added at the top and bottom of the table
width=n Set the width of the table to n pixels or a percentage of the window width
<td> ... </td> Define a table data cell
align=type Align the cell contents to the left, center, or right
bgcolor=color Define the background color for the cell -
bordercolor=color For Internet Explorer, define the border color for the cell -
bordercolordark=color For Internet Explorer, define the dark border highlighting color for the cell -
bordercolorlight=color For Internet Explorer, define the light border highlighting color for the cell -
colspan=n Have this cell straddle n adjacent columns
nowrap Do not automatically wrap and fill text in this cell
rowspan=n Have this cell straddle n adjacent rows
valign=type Vertically align this cell's contents to the top, center, bottom, or baseline of the cell
width=n Set the width of this cell to n pixels or a percentage of the table width
<textarea> ... </textarea> Define a multiline text input area within a <form>; content of the <textarea> tag is the initial, default value
cols=n Display n [columns] of text within the text area
name=string Define the name for the text-area value that is passed to the form-processing application (required)
rows=n Display n rows of text within the text area
wrap=style Set word wrapping within the text area to off, virtual (display wrap, but do not transmit to server), or physical (display and transmit wrap)
<th> ... </th> Define a table header cell
align=type Align the cell contents to the left, center, or right
bgcolor=color Define the background color for the cell -
bordercolor=color For Internet Explorer, define the border color for the cell -
bordercolordark=color For Internet Explorer, define the dark border-highlighting color for the cell -
bordercolorlight=color For Internet Explorer, define the light border-highlighting color for the cell -
colspan=n Have this cell straddle n adjacent columns
nowrap Do not automatically wrap and fill text in this cell
rowspan=n Have this cell straddle n adjacent rows
valign=type Vertically align this cell's contents to the top, center, bottom, or baseline of the cell
width=n Set the width of this cell to n pixels or a percentage of the table width
<title> ... </title> Define the HTML document's title
<tr> ... </tr> Define a row of cells within a table
align=type Align the cell contents in this row to the left, center, or right
bgcolor=color Define the background color for this row -
border=n Create a border n pixels wide
bordercolor=color For Internet Explorer, define the border color for this row -
bordercolordark=color For Internet Explorer, define the dark border-highlighting color for this row -
bordercolorlight=color For Internet Explorer, define the light border-highlighting color for this row -
valign=type Vertically align the cell contents in this row to the top, center, bottom, or baseline of the cell
<tt> ... </tt> Format the enclosed text in [teletype]-style (monospaced) font
<ul> ... </ul> Define an [unordered list] of bulleted <li> elements
compact Display the list in a more compact manner
type=bullet Set the bullet style for this list to either circle, disc (default), or square
<var> ... </var> The enclosed text is a [variable]'s name
<wbr> Indicate a potential [word break] point within a <nobr> section
<xmp> ... </xmp> Same as <pre width=80> ... </pre>; deprecated, do not use