There are a number of inline HTML elements you may use anywhere within other elements.
The a element is used to hyperlink text, be that to another page, a named fragment on the current page or any other location on the web. Example:
The em element is used to denote text with stressed emphasis, i.e., something you’d pronounce differently. Where italicizing is required for stylistic differentiation, the i element may be preferable. Example:
You simply must try the negitoro maki!
The strong element is used to denote text with strong importance. Where bolding is used for stylistic differentiation, the b element may be preferable. Example:
Don’t stick nails in the electrical outlet.
The small element is used to represent disclaimers, caveats, legal restrictions, or copyrights (commonly referred to as ‘small print’). It can also be used for attributions or satisfying licensing requirements. Example:
Copyright © 1922-2011 Acme Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
The s element is used to represent content that is no longer accurate or relevant. When indicating document edits i.e., marking a span of text as having been removed from a document, use the del element instead. Example:
Recommended retail price: CHF 3.95 per bottle
Now selling for just CHF 2.95 a bottle!
The cite element is used to represent the title of a work (e.g. a book, essay, poem, song, film, TV show, sculpture, painting, musical, exhibition, etc). This can be a work that is being quoted or referenced in detail (i.e. a citation), or it can just be a work that is mentioned in passing. Example:
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations, December 1948. Adopted by General Assembly resolution 217 A (III).
The q element is used for quoting text inline. Example showing nested quotations:
John said, I saw Lucy at lunch, she told me
Mary wants you to get some ice cream on your way home
. I think I will get some at Ben and Jerry’s, on Gloucester Road.
The dfn element is used to highlight the first use of a term. The title attribute can be used to describe the term. Example:
Bob’s canine mother and equine father sat him down and carefully explained that he was an allopolyploid organism.
The abbr element is used for any abbreviated text, whether it be acronym, initialism, or otherwise. Generally, it’s less work and useful (enough) to mark up only the first occurrence of any particular abbreviation on a page, and ignore the rest. Any text in the title attribute will appear when the user’s mouse hovers the abbreviation (although notably, this does not work in Internet Explorer for Windows). Example abbreviations:
BBC, HTML, and Staffs.
The time element is used to represent either a time on a 24 hour clock, or a precise date in the proleptic Gregorian calendar, optionally with a time and a time-zone offset. Example:
Queen Elizabeth II was proclaimed sovereign of each of the Commonwealth realms on and , after the death of her father, King George VI.
The code element is used to represent fragments of computer code. Useful for technology-oriented sites, not so useful otherwise. Example:
When you call the activate() method on the robotSnowman object, the eyes glow.
Used in conjunction with the pre element:
function getJelly() {
echo $aDeliciousSnack;
}
The var element is used to denote a variable in a mathematical expression or programming context, but can also be used to indicate a placeholder where the contents should be replaced with your own value. Example:
If there are n pipes leading to the ice cream factory then I expect at least n flavours of ice cream to be available for purchase!
The samp element is used to represent (sample) output from a program or computing system. Useful for technology-oriented sites, not so useful otherwise. Example:
The computer said Too much cheese in tray two but I didn’t know what that meant.
The kbd element is used to denote user input (typically via a keyboard, although it may also be used to represent other input methods, such as voice commands). Example:
To take a screenshot on your Mac, press ⌘ Cmd + ⇧ Shift + 3.
The sup element represents a superscript and the sub element represents a sub. These elements must be used only to mark up typographical conventions with specific meanings, not for typographical presentation. As a guide, only use these elements if their absence would change the meaning of the content. Example:
The coordinate of the ith point is (xi, yi). For example, the 10th point has coordinate (x10, y10).
f(x, n) = log4xn
The i element is used for text in an alternate voice or mood, or otherwise offset from the normal prose. Examples include taxonomic designations, technical terms, idiomatic phrases from another language, the name of a ship or other spans of text whose typographic presentation is typically italicised. Example:
There is a certain je ne sais quoi in the air.
The b element is used for text stylistically offset from normal prose without conveying extra importance, such as key words in a document abstract, product names in a review, or other spans of text whose typographic presentation is typically emboldened. Example:
You enter a small room. Your sword glows brighter. A rat scurries past the corner wall.
The mark element is used to represent a run of text marked or highlighted for reference purposes. When used in a quotation it indicates a highlight not originally present but added to bring the reader’s attention to that part of the text. When used in the main prose of a document, it indicates a part of the document that has been highlighted due to its relevance to the user’s current activity. Example:
I also have some kittens who are visiting me these days. They’re really cute. I think they like my garden! Maybe I should adopt a kitten.
The del element is used to represent deleted or retracted text which still must remain on the page for some reason. Meanwhile its counterpart, the ins element, is used to represent inserted text. Both del and ins have a datetime attribute which allows you to include a timestamp directly in the element. Example inserted text and usage:
She bought two five pairs of shoes.