HTML Quotation and Citation
HTML Quotation and Citation Elements
HTML has special tags for quotes, references, and abbreviations, such as <blockquote>, <q>, <abbr>, <address>, <cite>,
and <bdo>.
These tags tell the browser what each piece of text is, not just how it should look. This makes your page easier to read, easier to use with screen readers, and easier for search engines to understand.
HTML <blockquote> Tag
The HTML <blockquote> element defines a section that
is quoted from another source.
Browsers usually indent <blockquote> elements.
Example
<p>Here is a quote from WWF's website:</p>
<blockquote cite="http://www.worldwildlife.org/who/index.html">
For 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive. As the world's
leading conservation organization, WWF works in nearly 100 countries. At every
level, we collaborate with people around the world to develop and deliver
innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in
which they live.
</blockquote>
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HTML <q> Tag
The HTML <q> tag defines a short
inline quote.
Browsers automatically add quotation marks around the quotation.
Example
<p>WWF's goal is to: <q>Build a future where people live in harmony with
nature.</q></p>
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HTML <abbr> Tag
The HTML <abbr> tag defines an abbreviation or an acronym, like "HTML",
"CSS", "Mr.",
"Dr.", "ASAP", "ATM".
Tip: Use the title attribute to show the description for the abbreviation/acronym when you mouse over the element.
Example
<p>The <abbr title="World Health Organization">WHO</abbr> was founded in
1948.</p>
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HTML <address> Tag
The HTML <address> tag defines the contact information for the author/owner of a document
or an article.
The contact information can be an email address, URL, physical address, phone number, social media handle, etc.
The text in the <address> element usually renders in italic,
and browsers will
always add a line break before and after the <address> element.
Example
<address>
Written by John Doe.<br>
Visit us at:<br>
Example.com<br>
Box 564, Disneyland<br>
USA
</address>
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HTML <cite> Tag
The HTML <cite> tag references the title of a
creative work (e.g. a book, a poem, a song, a movie, a painting, a sculpture, etc.).
The text in the <cite> element usually renders in italic.
HTML <bdo> Tag
The HTML <bdo> tag stands for
Bi-Directional Override, and is used to override
the current text direction:
HTML Quotation and Citation Elements
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| <abbr> | Defines an abbreviation or acronym |
| <address> | Defines contact information for the author/owner of a document |
| <bdo> | Defines the text direction |
| <blockquote> | Defines a section that is quoted from another source |
| <cite> | Defines the title of a work |
| <q> | Defines a short inline quotation |
For a complete list of all available HTML tags, visit our HTML Tag Reference.
