<dl>: The Description List element

The <dl> HTML element represents a description list. The element encloses a list of groups of terms (specified using the <dt> element) and descriptions (provided by <dd> elements). Common uses for this element are to implement a glossary or to display metadata (a list of key-value pairs).

Try it

<p>Cryptids of Cornwall:</p>

<dl>
  <dt>Beast of Bodmin</dt>
  <dd>A large feline inhabiting Bodmin Moor.</dd>

  <dt>Morgawr</dt>
  <dd>A sea serpent.</dd>

  <dt>Owlman</dt>
  <dd>A giant owl-like creature.</dd>
</dl>

p,
dt {
  font-weight: bold;
}

dl,
dd {
  font-size: 0.9rem;
}

dd {
  margin-bottom: 1em;
}

Attributes

This element also accepts the global attributes.

compact Deprecated

This Boolean attribute hints that the list should be rendered in a compact style. The interpretation of this attribute is browser-specific. Use CSS instead: to give a similar effect as the compact attribute, the CSS property line-height can be used with a value of 80%.

Accessibility

Each screen reader exposes <dl> content differently, including total count, terms/definitions context, and navigation methods. These differences are not necessarily bugs. As of iOS 14, VoiceOver will announce that <dl> content is a list when navigating with the virtual cursor (not via the read-all command). VoiceOver does not support list navigation commands with <dl>. Be careful applying ARIA term and definition roles to <dl> constructs as VoiceOver (macOS and iOS) will adjust how they are announced.

• VoiceOver on iOS 14 Supports Description Lists
• Brief Note on Description List Support

Examples

Single term and description

<dl>
  <dt>Firefox</dt>
  <dd>
    A free, open source, cross-platform, graphical web browser developed by the
    Mozilla Corporation and hundreds of volunteers.
  </dd>

  <!-- Other terms and descriptions -->
</dl>

Result

Multiple terms, single description

<dl>
  <dt>Firefox</dt>
  <dt>Mozilla Firefox</dt>
  <dt>Fx</dt>
  <dd>
    A free, open source, cross-platform, graphical web browser developed by the
    Mozilla Corporation and hundreds of volunteers.
  </dd>

  <!-- Other terms and descriptions -->
</dl>

Result

Single term, multiple descriptions

<dl>
  <dt>Firefox</dt>
  <dd>
    A free, open source, cross-platform, graphical web browser developed by the
    Mozilla Corporation and hundreds of volunteers.
  </dd>
  <dd>
    The Red Panda also known as the Lesser Panda, Wah, Bear Cat or Firefox, is a
    mostly herbivorous mammal, slightly larger than a domestic cat (60 cm long).
  </dd>

  <!-- Other terms and descriptions -->
</dl>

Result

Multiple terms and descriptions

It is also possible to define multiple terms with multiple corresponding descriptions, by combining the examples above.

Metadata

Description lists are useful for displaying metadata as a list of key-value pairs.

<dl>
  <dt>Name</dt>
  <dd>Godzilla</dd>
  <dt>Born</dt>
  <dd>1952</dd>
  <dt>Birthplace</dt>
  <dd>Japan</dd>
  <dt>Color</dt>
  <dd>Green</dd>
</dl>

Result

Tip: It can be handy to define a key-value separator in the CSS, such as:

dt::after {
  content: ": ";
}

Wrapping name-value groups in div elements

HTML allows wrapping each name-value group in a <dl> element in a <div> element. This can be useful when using microdata, or when global attributes apply to a whole group, or for styling purposes.

<dl>
  <div>
    <dt>Name</dt>
    <dd>Godzilla</dd>
  </div>
  <div>
    <dt>Born</dt>
    <dd>1952</dd>
  </div>
  <div>
    <dt>Birthplace</dt>
    <dd>Japan</dd>
  </div>
  <div>
    <dt>Color</dt>
    <dd>Green</dd>
  </div>
</dl>

Result

Notes

Do not use this element (nor <ul> elements) to merely create indentation on a page. Although it works, this is a bad practice and obscures the meaning of description lists.

To change the indentation of a description term, use the CSS margin property.

Technical summary

Specifications

Browser compatibility

See also

• <dt>
• <dd>