<mark>

The HTML <mark> element represents highlighted text, i.e., a run of text marked for reference purpose, due to its relevance in a particular context. For example it can be used in a page showing search results to highlight every instance of the searched-for word.

Content categories Flow content, phrasing content, palpable content.
Permitted content Phrasing content.
Tag omission None, both the starting and ending tag are mandatory.
Permitted parents Any element that accepts phrasing content.
Permitted ARIA roles Any
DOM interface HTMLElement

Attributes

This element only includes the global attributes.

Usage notes

  • In a quotation or another block, the highlighted text typically marks text that is referenced outside the quote, or marked for specific scrutiny even though the original author didn't consider it important.
  • In the main text, the highlighted text typically marks text that may be of special relevance for the user's current activity, like search results.
  • Do not use the <mark> element for syntax highlighting; use the <span> element for this purpose.
  • Do not confuse the <mark> element with the <strong> element. The <strong> element is used to denote spans of text of importance in context of the text, when the <mark> element is used to denote spans of text of relevance to a different context.

Examples

<p>The &lt;mark&gt; element is used to
  <mark>highlight</mark> text</p> 

Result

The <mark> element is used to highlight text

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
WHATWG HTML Living Standard
The definition of '<mark>' in that specification.
Living Standard  
HTML5
The definition of '<mark>' in that specification.
Recommendation  

Browser compatibility

Feature Chrome Edge Firefox (Gecko) Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support (Yes) (Yes) 4.0 (2.0) 9.0 11.0 (Yes)
Feature Android Edge Firefox Mobile (Gecko) IE Mobile Opera Mobile Safari Mobile
Basic support ? (Yes) 4.0 (2.0) ? ? ?

See also