HTML <samp> Tag

The HTML <samp> tag represents sample output from a computer program, script etc. This sample output is the output that is displayed to the user when the user is running an application.

For example, the message Are you sure you want to replace this file? is a common message displayed when somebody tries to replace a file with another, and under this context, would be considered "sample output", which could be used within a <samp> element if one were to reproduce this message in another context (e.g. within a web page).

Syntax

The <samp> tag is written as <samp></samp> with the sample output inserted between the start and end tags.

Like this:

Examples

Basic tag usage

Nesting <samp> & <kbd> Tags

You can use the <samp> tag along with the <kbd> tag to represent both sample output and user input.

For example, in a list of instructions, you could instruct the user to click a button. The action of clicking is user input and therefore requires the <kbd> tag. The name of the button is sample output and therefore requires the <samp> tag.

Actually, the HTML5 specifications states that in this case, it would require two <kbd> elements (one nested inside the other), because it represents an actual key or other single unit of input.

However, the HTML5 specification says that such precision is optional, so the above example would be just as valid if you only used the <kbd> tag. Like this:

Attributes

Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.

The <samp> element accepts the following attributes.

AttributeDescription
None 

Global Attributes

The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <samp> tag , as well as with all other HTML tags.

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.

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.