HTML <mark> Tag
The HTML <mark> tag represents text as marked or highlighted for reference purposes, due to its relevance in another context.
There are two main contexts for the <mark> tag. Here's how the HTML 5 specification explains it:
When used in a quotation or other block of text referred to from the prose, it indicates a highlight that was not originally present but which has been added to bring the reader's attention to a part of the text that might not have been considered important by the original author when the block was originally written, but which is now under previously unexpected scrutiny. When used in the main prose of a document, it indicates a part of the document that has been highlighted due to its likely relevance to the user's current activity.
Syntax
The <mark> tag is written as <mark></mark> with the text being marked up inserted between the start and end tags.
Like this:
Examples
Draw Attention to a Part of a Quotation
One use for the <mark> tag is to draw attention to a particular part of a quotation. This is typically done when using that particular part as part of a discussion.
Like this.
Search Results
Another common usage for the <mark> element is to highlight the search term within a search results page.
Draw Attention to a Code Error
Here, we use the <mark> to draw attention to a code error in some JavaScript.
Attributes
Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.
The <mark> element accepts the following attributes.
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| None |
Global Attributes
The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <mark> tag , as well as with all other HTML tags.
accesskeyautocapitalizeclasscontenteditabledata-*dirdraggablehiddenidinputmodeisitemiditempropitemrefitemscopeitemtypelangpartslotspellcheckstyletabindextitletranslate
For a full explanation of these attributes, see HTML 5 global attributes.
Event Handlers
Event handler content attributes enable you to invoke a script from within your HTML. The script is invoked when a certain "event" occurs. Each event handler content attribute deals with a different event.
onabortonauxclickonbluroncanceloncanplayoncanplaythroughonchangeonclickoncloseoncontextmenuoncopyoncuechangeoncutondblclickondragondragendondragenterondragexitondragleaveondragoverondragstartondropondurationchangeonemptiedonendedonerroronfocusonformdataoninputoninvalidonkeydownonkeypressonkeyuponlanguagechangeonloadonloadeddataonloadedmetadataonloadstartonmousedownonmouseenteronmouseleaveonmousemoveonmouseoutonmouseoveronmouseuponpasteonpauseonplayonplayingonprogressonratechangeonresetonresizeonscrollonsecuritypolicyviolationonseekedonseekingonselectonslotchangeonstalledonsubmitonsuspendontimeupdateontoggleonvolumechangeonwaitingonwheel
Most event handler content attributes can be used on all HTML elements, but some event handlers have specific rules around when they can be used and which elements they are applicable to.
For more detail, see HTML event handler content attributes.