HTML <pre> Tag
Example
Preformatted text:
<pre>
Text in a pre element
is displayed in a fixed-width
font, and it preserves
both
spaces and
line breaks
</pre> |
Try it yourself » |
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.
Browser Support

The <pre> tag is supported in all major browsers.
Differences Between HTML and XHTML
The "width" attribute of the pre element was deprecated
in HTML 4.01, and is not supported in XHTML 1.0 Strict DTD.
Tips and Notes
Tip: Use the pre element to display computer code!
Optional Attributes
DTD indicates in which 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 |
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 |
More information about Standard Attributes.
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 |
More information about Event Attributes.

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