HTML <pre> Tag
Example
Preformatted text:
<pre>
Text in a pre element
is displayed in a fixed-width
font, and it preserves
both
spaces and
line breaks
</pre> |
Try it yourself » |
Definition and Usage
The <pre> tag defines preformatted text.
Text in a pre element is displayed in a fixed-width font (usually Courier), and it preserves both spaces and line breaks.
Browser Support
The <pre> tag is supported in all major browsers.
Tips and Notes
Tip: Use the pre element to display computer code!
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
NONE
Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which HTML 4.01/XHTML 1.0
DTD the attribute is allowed. S=Strict, T=Transitional, and F=Frameset.
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| width |
number |
Deprecated. Use styles instead.
Specifies the maximum number of characters per line |
TF |
Standard Attributes
The <pre> tag supports the following standard attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| class |
classname |
Specifies a classname for an element |
STF |
| dir |
rtl
ltr |
Specifies the text direction
for the content in an element |
STF |
| id |
id |
Specifies a unique id for an element |
STF |
| lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element |
STF |
| style |
style_definition |
Specifies an inline style for an element |
STF |
| title |
text |
Specifies extra information about an element |
STF |
| xml:lang |
language_code |
Specifies a language code for the content in an element, in
XHTML documents |
STF |
More information about Standard Attributes.
Event Attributes
The <pre> tag supports the following event attributes:
| Attribute |
Value |
Description |
DTD |
| onclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse click |
STF |
| ondblclick |
script |
Script to be run on a mouse double-click |
STF |
| onmousedown |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is pressed |
STF |
| onmousemove |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves |
STF |
| onmouseout |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an
element |
STF |
| onmouseover |
script |
Script to be run when mouse pointer moves over an
element |
STF |
| onmouseup |
script |
Script to be run when mouse button is released |
STF |
| onkeydown |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed |
STF |
| onkeypress |
script |
Script to be run when a key is pressed and released |
STF |
| onkeyup |
script |
Script to be run when a key is released |
STF |
More information about Event Attributes.
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