Syntax
<dl>
<dt>Term</dt>
<dd>Description of the term.</dd>
</dl>Examples
Glossary
A simple glossary of terms and definitions.
<dl>
<dt>HTML</dt>
<dd>The standard markup language for creating web pages.</dd>
<dt>CSS</dt>
<dd>The language used to style HTML content.</dd>
</dl>Multiple Descriptions
A single term can have more than one description.
<dl>
<dt>API</dt>
<dd>Application Programming Interface</dd>
<dd>A set of rules that lets applications communicate.</dd>
</dl>Metadata List
Using a description list for key-value metadata.
<dl>
<dt>Author</dt>
<dd>Jane Smith</dd>
<dt>Published</dt>
<dd>July 16, 2026</dd>
</dl>Best practices
- Use description lists for genuine term/description pairs, like glossaries, metadata, or FAQs — not as a generic layout tool
- A dt can be followed by multiple dd elements if a term has several descriptions
- Avoid using dl purely to achieve a two-column visual layout — that is a CSS concern unless the content really is term/description pairs
- Style with CSS (e.g., display: grid or flex on dl) for custom layouts rather than default browser styling
Browser compatibility
Support applies to the named feature, not every attribute or behaviour in this article. Versions refer to browsers, not operating systems.
<dl>
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
By 4 (possibly earlier) - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
By 3.2 (possibly earlier) - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1
Safari
- By 4 (possibly earlier)
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- By 3.2 (possibly earlier)
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
<dt>
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
By 4 (possibly earlier) - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
By 3.2 (possibly earlier) - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1
Safari
- By 4 (possibly earlier)
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- By 3.2 (possibly earlier)
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
<dd>
Desktop
- Chrome
- Supported
From 1 - Firefox
- Supported
From 1 - Safari
- Supported
By 4 (possibly earlier) - Edge
- Supported
From 12 - Opera
- Supported
From 15
Mobile
- Safari on iOS
- Supported
By 3.2 (possibly earlier) - Chrome for Android
- Supported
From 18 - Firefox for Android
- Supported
From 4 - Samsung Internet
- Supported
From 1.0
MDN BCD record for this feature · MDN reference
Support history and limitations
Chrome
- From 1
Firefox
- From 1 · Before Firefox 4, this element was implemented using the HTMLSpanElement interface instead of HTMLElement.
Safari
- By 4 (possibly earlier)
Edge
- From 12
Opera
- From 15
Safari on iOS
- By 3.2 (possibly earlier)
Chrome for Android
- From 18
Firefox for Android
- From 4
Samsung Internet
- From 1.0
MDN BCD 8.1.5 · Dataset built 2026-10-08 · Mapping reviewed 2026-10-21. These dates are not individual browser-test or claim-verification dates. Unknown means the data does not establish support.