<kbd>

The HTML <kbd> element represents user input and produces an inline element displayed in the browser's default monospace font.

Content categories Flow content, phrasing content, palpable content.
Permitted content Phrasing content.
Tag omission None, both the starting and ending tag are mandatory.
Permitted parents Any element that accepts phrasing content.
Permitted ARIA roles Any
DOM interface HTMLElement Up to Gecko 1.9.2 (Firefox 4) inclusive, Firefox implements the interface HTMLSpanElement for this element.

Attributes

This element only includes the global attributes.

Examples

<p>Type the following in the Run dialog:
  <kbd>cmd</kbd><br />Then click the OK button.</p>
<p>Save the document by pressing
  <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd></p>

Result

Note

A CSS rule can be defined for the kbd selector to override the browser's default font face. Preferences set by the user might take precedence over the specified CSS.

When the <kbd> element is nested inside a <samp> element, it represents the input as it was echoed by the system.

When the <kbd> element contains a <samp> element, it represents input based on system output, for example invoking a menu item.

When the <kbd> element is nested inside another <kbd> element, it represents an actual key or other single unit of input as appropriate for the input mechanism.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of '<kbd>' in that specification.
Living Standard  
HTML5
The definition of '<kbd>' in that specification.
Recommendation Expanded to include any user input, like voice input and individual keystrokes.
HTML 4.01 Specification
The definition of '<kbd>' 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

Document Tags and Contributors

 Last updated by: sideshowbarker,