HTML Encyclopaedia

The kbd tag

The HTML element

<kbd> text </kbd>

Is used for "sample" keyboard input for programs etc. The meaning is unclear from the HTML standards and the tag is rarely used. It seems to render text (in a bold monopitch typeface) as entered but line layout is not honoured. HTML special characters have to be escaped.

Here is an example

1==1 1<=2 1>=0

Here is the HTML for the example above

<kbd>
1==1
1&lt;=2
1&gt;=0
</kbd>

Notice that this is not the same as pre-formatted text.

It can also be used within running text thus: a sample of text.

Browsers
ARA, IE and NN render the text in a bold-ish mono-pitch type face. MOS3 renders the text in an italic proportionally spaced type face. OP2 renders the text in the same style as normal text, this may mean that it ignores the tag.

See also <code>, <dfn>, <samp>, <var> and <cite>

Note On many browsers this tag and the others mentioned immediately above, all have exactly the same effect. Differences are purely historical.