Marks the defining instance of a term. Learn more →
<abbr> - The Abbreviation Element
The <abbr> Element
Section titled “The <abbr> Element”The abbreviation element marks up abbreviations, acronyms, and initialisms, optionally providing the full expansion via the title attribute.
Quick Example
Section titled “Quick Example” Result
Syntax
Section titled “Syntax”<abbr title="full expansion">abbreviation</abbr>The title attribute provides the full expansion. When users hover over the abbreviation, browsers typically display the expansion as a tooltip.
Attributes
Section titled “Attributes”Core Attributes
Section titled “Core Attributes”| Attribute | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
title | Full expansion of the abbreviation | Recommended |
Common Use Cases
Section titled “Common Use Cases”Basic Abbreviation
Section titled “Basic Abbreviation” Result
Technical Acronyms
Section titled “Technical Acronyms” Result
Without Title Attribute
Section titled “Without Title Attribute”When the abbreviation is defined in nearby text, the title attribute is optional:
Result
Styling Abbreviations
Section titled “Styling Abbreviations” Result
Multiple Uses
Section titled “Multiple Uses”First use includes the expansion, subsequent uses can omit it:
Result
Medical Abbreviations
Section titled “Medical Abbreviations” Result
Accessibility
Section titled “Accessibility”Provide Expansions
Section titled “Provide Expansions”Always provide the title attribute on first use so screen reader users can understand the abbreviation:
<abbr title="Automated Teller Machine">ATM</abbr><abbr>ATM</abbr>Screen Reader Behavior
Section titled “Screen Reader Behavior”Screen readers may announce both the abbreviation and the title. Some read: “WHO, abbreviation, World Health Organization.”
Define in Text
Section titled “Define in Text”For critical abbreviations, consider defining them in the text itself:
<p>The World Health Organization (<abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr>) reported...</p>Don’t Overuse
Section titled “Don’t Overuse”Mark up abbreviations sparingly. Common abbreviations (like “Mr.” or “Dr.”) don’t need <abbr>:
<!-- Unnecessary --><p><abbr title="Mister">Mr.</abbr> Smith arrived.</p>
<!-- Better --><p>Mr. Smith arrived.</p>Browser Support
Section titled “Browser Support”| Browser | Version | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Chrome | 1+ | Full support |
| Firefox | 1+ | Full support |
| Safari | 1+ | Full support |
| Edge | 12+ | Full support |
| IE | 7+ | Full support |
All modern browsers display the title attribute as a tooltip on hover.
Related Elements
Section titled “Related Elements”
Deprecated. Use <abbr> instead for all abbreviations.