Tag <pre> HTML Reference



Example

Preformatted text:

<pre>
<code class=java>
class HelloWorld {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("Hello World!");
  }
}
</code>
</pre>

Browser Support

Internet Explorer Firefox Opera Google Chrome Safari

1. 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.


2. Tips and Notes

Tip: Use the <pre> element when displaying text with unusual formatting, or some sort of computer code.


3. Differences Between HTML and XHTML

None


4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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