<del>
The <del> element represents text that has been deleted from a document. It is used for tracking changes, showing corrections, or indicating removed content. Browsers typically render deleted text with a strikethrough line, making the deletion visually obvious while preserving the original text for reference.
This page was last updated on 2025-11-17
Syntax
<del cite="URL" datetime="timestamp">deleted text</del>
The element requires both opening and closing tags. Like <ins>, it can contain both block-level and inline elements, allowing you to mark up deleted content of any size.
Attributes
- cite - A URL pointing to a resource that explains why the text was deleted (e.g., change log, decision notes)
- datetime - The date and time when the deletion occurred, in ISO 8601 format (e.g., "2024-01-15T10:30:00Z")
- Global attributes - The <del> element supports all global attributes such as
id,class,style,lang, anddir.
Examples
Simple Text Deletion
<p>The meeting is scheduled for <del>Tuesday</del> Wednesday.</p>
With Timestamp and Citation
<p>Our terms require <del cite="policy-update.html" datetime="2024-06-01">30-day notice</del> 14-day notice.</p>
Price Correction with ins
<p>Regular price: <del>$99.99</del> <ins>$79.99</ins></p>
Task List Update
<ul>
<li><del datetime="2024-01-10">Complete initial design</del></li>
<li><del datetime="2024-01-15">Review with stakeholders</del></li>
<li>Implement feedback</li>
</ul>
When to Use
Use the <del> element when:
- Showing removed content during document revision
- Displaying price reductions or corrections
- Tracking changes in legal or official documents
- Indicating completed tasks in to-do lists
- Creating visible edit histories
Important distinctions:
- Use <del> for semantic deletions (content removed from document)
- Use <s> for content that is no longer accurate but not a document edit
- Pair with <ins> when showing what replaced deleted content
- Screen readers may announce deleted text differently for accessibility
