Web/HTML/Global attributes/title

From Get docs


The title global attribute contains text representing advisory information related to the element it belongs to.


Some typical uses:

  • Labeling <iframe> elements for assistive technology
  • Providing a programmatically associated label for an <input> element as a fallback for a real <label>
  • Labeling controls in data tables

Additional semantics are attached to the title attributes of the <link>, <abbr>, <input>, and <menuitem> elements.

Multiline titles

The title attribute may contain several lines. Each U+000A LINE FEED (LF) character represents a line break. Some caution must be taken, as this means the following renders across two lines:

HTML

<p>Newlines in <code>title</code> should be taken into account,
like <abbr title="This is a 
multiline title">example</abbr>.</p>

Result


Title attribute inheritance

If an element has no title attribute, then it inherits it from its parent node, which in turn may inherit it from its parent, and so on.

If this attribute is set to the empty string, it means its ancestors' titles are irrelevant and shouldn't be used in the tooltip for this element.

HTML

<div title="CoolTip">
  <p>Hovering here will show “CoolTip”.</p>
  <p title="">Hovering here will show nothing.</p>
</div>

Result


Accessibility concerns

Use of the title attribute is highly problematic for:

  • People using touch-only devices
  • People navigating with keyboards
  • People navigating with assistive technology such as screen readers or magnifiers
  • People experiencing fine motor control impairment
  • People with cognitive concerns

This is due to inconsistent browser support, compounded by the additional assistive technology parsing of the browser-rendered page. If a tooltip effect is desired, it is better to use a more accessible technique that can be accessed with the above browsing methods.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living StandardThe definition of 'title' in that specification. Living Standard No change from latest snapshot, HTML 5.1
HTML 5.1The definition of 'title' in that specification. Recommendation Snapshot of HTML Living Standard, no change from HTML5
HTML5The definition of 'title' in that specification. Recommendation Snapshot of HTML Living Standard. From HTML 4.01 Specification, it is now a true global attribute.
HTML 4.01 SpecificationThe definition of 'title' in that specification. Recommendation Supported on all elements but <base>, <basefont>, <head>, <html>, <meta>, <param>, <script>, and <title>.

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
title Chrome

Full support Yes

Edge

Full support 12

Firefox

Full support Yes

IE

Full support Yes

Opera

Full support Yes

Safari

Full support Yes

WebView Android

Full support Yes

Chrome Android

Full support Yes

Firefox Android

Full support Yes

Opera Android

Full support Yes

Safari iOS

Full support Yes

Samsung Internet Android

Full support Yes

Multi-line support Chrome

Full support Yes

Edge

Full support 12

Firefox

Full support Yes

IE

Full support Yes

Opera

Full support Yes

Safari

Full support Yes

WebView Android

Full support Yes

Chrome Android

Full support Yes

Firefox Android

Full support Yes

Opera Android

?

Safari iOS

?

Samsung Internet Android

Full support Yes

Legend

Full support  
Full support
Compatibility unknown  
Compatibility unknown


See also

title by Mozilla Contributors is licensed under CC-BY-SA 2.5.

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