HTML <ul> Tag

The HTML <ul> tag represents a list of items, where the order of the items is not important. This can also be referred to as an unordered list (or un-numbered list).

The <ul> element should be used to list items that don't need to be presented in order. Changing the order of <ul> list items should not change the meaning of the list or document. If list items need to be presented in a particular order (such as a step-by-step list of instructions) the <ol> element should be used instead.

Syntax

The <ul> tag is written as <ul></ul> with the list items nested between the start and end tags. List items are represented by the <li> element.

Like this:

Examples

Basic tag usage

Here's an example of using the <ul> to create an unordered list. These are listed in no particular order. But if the order was important (for example, if I was listing my top 3 favorite animals with 1 being my favorite and 3 being the least favorite) then I should use the <ol> element instead of the <ul> element.

Bullet Style

This example uses the list-style-type property to change the bullet style to square bullets.

Images

You can replace the bullet points with an image using the list-style-image property.

Position of List Item

This example uses the list-style-position property to specify the position of the list items.

The list-style Property

The list-style property is a shortcut property. It allows you to apply multiple properties to your list items.

Example:

Attributes

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

The <ul> element accepts the following attributes.

Global Attributes

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

• accesskey
• autocapitalize
• class
• contenteditable
• data-*
• dir
• draggable
• hidden
• id
• inputmode
• is
• itemid
• itemprop
• itemref
• itemscope
• itemtype
• lang
• part
• slot
• spellcheck
• style
• tabindex
• title
• translate

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.

• onabort
• onauxclick
• onblur
• oncancel
• oncanplay
• oncanplaythrough
• onchange
• onclick
• onclose
• oncontextmenu
• oncopy
• oncuechange
• oncut
• ondblclick
• ondrag
• ondragend
• ondragenter
• ondragexit
• ondragleave
• ondragover
• ondragstart
• ondrop
• ondurationchange
• onemptied
• onended
• onerror
• onfocus
• onformdata
• oninput
• oninvalid
• onkeydown
• onkeypress
• onkeyup
• onlanguagechange
• onload
• onloadeddata
• onloadedmetadata
• onloadstart
• onmousedown
• onmouseenter
• onmouseleave
• onmousemove
• onmouseout
• onmouseover
• onmouseup
• onpaste
• onpause
• onplay
• onplaying
• onprogress
• onratechange
• onreset
• onresize
• onscroll
• onsecuritypolicyviolation
• onseeked
• onseeking
• onselect
• onslotchange
• onstalled
• onsubmit
• onsuspend
• ontimeupdate
• ontoggle
• onvolumechange
• onwaiting
• onwheel

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.