class

The class global attribute is a space-separated list of the classes of the element. Classes allows CSS and Javascript to select and access specific elements via the class selectors or functions like the DOM method document.getElementsByClassName.

Though the specification doesn't put requirements on the name of classes, web developers are encouraged to use names that describe the semantic purpose of the element, rather than the presentation of the element. For example, attribute to describe an attribute rather than italics, although an element of this class may be presented by italics. Semantic names remain logical even if the presentation of the page changes.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'class' in that specification.
Living Standard No change from latest snapshot, HTML5.1
HTML5.1
The definition of 'class' in that specification.
Recommendation Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard, no change from HTML5
HTML5
The definition of 'class' in that specification.
Recommendation Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard. From HTML 4.01 Specification, class is now a true global attribute.
HTML 4.01 Specification
The definition of 'class' in that specification.
Recommendation Supported on all elements but <base>, <basefont>, <head>, <html>, <meta>, <param>, <script>, <style>, and <title>.

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes)[1] (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)
Feature Android Chrome for Android Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) (Yes) [1] (Yes) (Yes) (Yes)

[1] class is a true global attribute only since Firefox 32.

See also

Document Tags and Contributors

 Contributors to this page: bunnybooboo, _6a68, Sebastianz, teoli
 Last updated by: bunnybooboo,