The class global attribute is a space-separated list of the classes of the element. Classes allows CSS and Javascript to select and access specific elements via the class selectors or functions like the DOM method document.getElementsByClassName.
Though the specification doesn't put requirements on the name of classes, web developers are encouraged to use names that describe the semantic purpose of the element, rather than the presentation of the element. For example, attribute to describe an attribute rather than italics, although an element of this class may be presented by italics. Semantic names remain logical even if the presentation of the page changes.
Specifications
| Specification | Status | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| WHATWG HTML Living Standard The definition of 'class' in that specification. |
Living Standard | No change from latest snapshot, HTML5.1 |
| HTML5.1 The definition of 'class' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard, no change from HTML5 |
| HTML5 The definition of 'class' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Snapshot of WHATWG HTML Living Standard. From HTML 4.01 Specification, class is now a true global attribute. |
| HTML 4.01 Specification The definition of 'class' in that specification. |
Recommendation | Supported on all elements but <base>, <basefont>, <head>, <html>, <meta>, <param>, <script>, <style>, and <title>. |
Browser compatibility
| Feature | Chrome | Firefox (Gecko) | Internet Explorer | Opera | Safari |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | (Yes) | (Yes)[1] | (Yes) | (Yes) | (Yes) |
| Feature | Android | Chrome for Android | Firefox Mobile (Gecko) | IE Mobile | Opera Mobile | Safari Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic support | (Yes) | (Yes) | (Yes) [1] | (Yes) | (Yes) | (Yes) |
[1] class is a true global attribute only since Firefox 32.
See also
- All global attributes.