<blockquote>

The HTML <blockquote> Element (or HTML Block Quotation Element) indicates that the enclosed text is an extended quotation. Usually, this is rendered visually by indentation (see Notes for how to change it). A URL for the source of the quotation may be given using the cite attribute, while a text representation of the source can be given using the <cite> element.

Content categories Flow content, sectioning root, palpable content.
Permitted content Flow content.
Tag omission None, both the starting and ending tag are mandatory.
Permitted parents Any element that accepts flow content.
Permitted ARIA roles Any
DOM interface HTMLQuoteElement

Attributes

This element's attributes include the global attributes.

cite
A URL that designates a source document or message for the information quoted. This attribute is intended to point to information explaining the context or the reference for the quote.

Notes

To change <blockquote> indent, use CSS margin property.

For short quotes use the <q> element.

Example

<blockquote cite="http://developer.mozilla.org">
  <p>This is a quotation taken from
  the Mozilla Developer Center.</p>
</blockquote>

Above HTML code will output:

This is a quotation taken from the Mozilla Developer Center.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of '<blockquote>' in that specification.
Living Standard  
HTML5
The definition of '<blockquote>' in that specification.
Recommendation  
HTML 4.01 Specification
The definition of '<blockquote>' in that specification.
Recommendation  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) 1.0 (1.7 or earlier) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) 1.0 (1.0) (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

See also

  • The <q>  element for inline quotations.
  • The <cite> element for source citations.