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.

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
widthnumberDeprecated. Use styles instead.
Specifies the maximum number of characters per line
TF

5. Standard Attributes

The <pre> tag supports the following standard attributes:

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
classclassnameSpecifies a classname for an elementSTF
dirrtl
ltr
Specifies the text direction for the content in an elementSTF
ididSpecifies a unique id for an elementSTF
langlanguage_codeSpecifies a language code for the content in an elementSTF
stylestyle_definitionSpecifies an inline style for an elementSTF
titletextSpecifies extra information about an elementSTF
xml:langlanguage_codeSpecifies a language code for the content in an element, in XHTML documentsSTF

6. Event Attributes

The <pre> tag supports the following event attributes:

AttributeValueDescriptionDTD
onclickscriptScript to be run on a mouse clickSTF
ondblclickscriptScript to be run on a mouse double-clickSTF
onmousedownscriptScript to be run when mouse button is pressedSTF
onmousemovescriptScript to be run when mouse pointer movesSTF
onmouseoutscriptScript to be run when mouse pointer moves out of an elementSTF
onmouseoverscriptScript to be run when mouse pointer moves over an elementSTF
onmouseupscriptScript to be run when mouse button is releasedSTF
onkeydownscriptScript to be run when a key is pressedSTF
onkeypressscriptScript to be run when a key is pressed and releasedSTF
onkeyupscriptScript to be run when a key is releasedSTF

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