Web/HTML/Element/blink

DeprecatedThis feature is no longer recommended. Though some browsers might still support it, it may have already been removed from the relevant web standards, may be in the process of being dropped, or may only be kept for compatibility purposes. Avoid using it, and update existing code if possible; see the compatibility table at the bottom of this page to guide your decision. Be aware that this feature may cease to work at any time.

ObsoleteThis feature is obsolete. Although it may still work in some browsers, its use is discouraged since it could be removed at any time. Try to avoid using it.

The HTML Blink Element (<blink>) is a non-standard element which causes the enclosed text to flash slowly.

Do not use this element as it is obsolete and is bad design practice. Blinking text is frowned upon by several accessibility standards and the CSS specification allows browsers to ignore the <blink> element.

DOM interface

This element is unsupported and thus implements the HTMLUnknownElement interface.

Example

<blink>Why would somebody use this?</blink>

Result (toned down!)

[[File:../../../../../../media.prod.mdn.mozit.cloud/attachments/2012/07/09/490/393312596d1303bfc5fdb9f9a3ed51c3/HTMLBlinkElement.gif|Image:HTMLBlinkElement.gif]]

Specification

This element is non-standard and not part of any specification. If you don't believe us, see for yourself in the HTML spec.

CSS polyfill

If you really do need a polyfill, then you can use the following CSS polyfill. Works in IE10+.

blink {
  -webkit-animation: 2s linear infinite condemned_blink_effect; /* for Safari 4.0 - 8.0 */
  animation: 2s linear infinite condemned_blink_effect;
}

/* for Safari 4.0 - 8.0 */
@-webkit-keyframes condemned_blink_effect { 
  0% {
    visibility: hidden;
  }
  50% {
    visibility: hidden;
  }
  100% {
    visibility: visible;
  }
}

@keyframes condemned_blink_effect {
  0% {
    visibility: hidden;
  }
  50% {
    visibility: hidden;
  }
  100% {
    visibility: visible;
  }
}

Browser compatibility

Update compatibility data on GitHub

	Desktop						Mobile
	Chrome	Edge	Firefox	Internet Explorer	Opera	Safari	Android webview	Chrome for Android	Firefox for Android	Opera for Android	Safari on iOS	Samsung Internet
`blink` Deprecated'Non-standard'	Chrome No support No	Edge No support No	Firefox No support 1 — 22	IE No support No	Opera No support 2 — 15	Safari No support No	WebView Android No support No	Chrome Android No support No	Firefox Android No support 4 — 22	Opera Android No support 10.1 — 14	Safari iOS No support No	Samsung Internet Android No support No

Legend

No support: No support
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.': Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.': Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.