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HTML alt Attribute


Definition and Usage

The alt attribute provides alternative information for an image if a user for some reason cannot view it (because of slow connection, an error in the src attribute, or if the user uses a screen reader).

Note: The alt attribute is required for the <img> element.

Note: For <input> elements, the alt attribute can only be used with <input type="image">.

Tip: To create a tooltip for an image, use the title attribute!


Applies to

The alt attribute can be used on the following elements:

Elements Attribute
<area> alt
<img> alt
<input> alt

Examples

Area Example

An image-map, with clickable areas:

<img src="planets.gif" width="145" height="126" alt="Planets"
usemap="#planetmap">

<map name="planetmap">
  <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,82,126" href="sun.htm" alt="Sun">
  <area shape="circle" coords="90,58,3" href="mercur.htm" alt="Mercury">
  <area shape="circle" coords="124,58,8" href="venus.htm" alt="Venus">
</map>
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Img Example

An image with an alternate text specified:

<img src="smiley.gif" alt="Smiley face">
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Input Example

An HTML form with an image that represents the submit button:

<form action="/action_page.php">
  First name: <input type="text" name="fname"><br>
  <input type="image" src="submit.gif" alt="Submit" width="48" height="48">
</form>
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Browser Support

The alt attribute has the following browser support for each element:

Element
area Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
img Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
input Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes