HTML Computer Code Elements

Computer Code Element

<code>
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>

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HTML Computer Code Formatting

HTML normally uses variable letter size and spacing.
This is not wanted when displaying examples of computer code.
The <kbd>, <samp>, and <code> elements all support fixed letter size and spacing.

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HTML <kbd> For Keyboard Input

The HTML <kbd> element defines keyboard input:

Example

<kbd>File | Open...</kbd>

Result:

File | Open...

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HTML <samp> For Computer Output

The HTML <samp> element defines sample output from a computer program:

Example

<samp>
demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17
Linux 2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189
</samp>

Result:

demo.example.com login: Apr 12 09:10:17 Linux 2.6.10-grsec+gg3+e+fhs6b+nfs+gr0501+++p3+c4a+gr2b-reslog-v6.189

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HTML <code> For Computer Code

The HTML <code> element defines a piece of programming code:

Example

<code>
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>

Result:

var x = 5; var y = 6; document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;

Notice that the <code> element does not preserve extra whitespace and line-breaks.
To fix this, you can put the <code> element inside a <pre> element:

Example

<pre>
<code>
var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;
</code>
</pre>

Result:

var x = 5;
var y = 6;
document.getElementById("demo").innerHTML = x + y;

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HTML <var> For Variables

The HTML <var> element defines a variable.
The variable could be a variable in a mathematical expression or a variable in programming context:

Example

Einstein wrote: <var>E</var> = <var>m</var><var>c</var>².

Result:

Einstein wrote: E = mc².

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HTML Computer Code Elements

Tag	Description
<code>	Defines programming code
<kbd>	Defines keyboard input
<samp>	Defines computer output
<var>	Defines a variable
<pre>	Defines preformatted text