Path // www.yourhtmlsource.com → Reference → <dd>

<dd>

The <dd> element represents the description, definition, or value in a description list (<dl>). It provides the detailed information associated with a preceding <dt> (description term) element. Multiple <dd> elements can follow a single <dt> when multiple descriptions apply to one term.

Page Navigation:
Syntax | Attributes | Examples | When to Use | Related Elements

This page was last updated on 2025-11-27

Syntax

<dl>
<dt>Term</dt>
<dd>Description or definition of the term</dd>
</dl>

Attributes

class - CSS class name for styling
id - Unique identifier for the element
style - Inline CSS styles
title - Advisory information (tooltip)
lang - Language of the content
dir - Text direction (ltr or rtl)

Examples

Basic description:

<dl>
<dt>Browser</dt>
<dd>Software application used to access and view websites on the internet.</dd>
</dl>

Multiple descriptions for one term:

<dl>
  <dt>Python</dt>
  <dd>A high-level programming language known for its clear syntax.</dd>
  <dd>A large snake found in tropical regions.</dd>
</dl>

Description with rich content:

<dl>
  <dt>Installation Steps</dt>
  <dd>
    <ol>
      <li>Download the package</li>
      <li>Extract the files</li>
      <li>Run the installer</li>
    </ol>
  </dd>
</dl>

When to Use

Use the <dd> element to provide descriptions, definitions, values, or explanations for terms marked with <dt>. It must be used within a <dl> element and should follow one or more <dt> elements. The <dd> element can contain any flow content including paragraphs, lists, images, and other block-level elements.

Browsers typically render <dd> content with left indentation, creating a visual hierarchy between terms and their descriptions. This indentation can be customized with CSS. The closing </dd> tag is optional in HTML5, but including it improves code readability. Use <dd> for glossary definitions, FAQ answers, metadata values, and product specifications.