You might see <blockquote> Element reference while reading someone else’s HTML, or need it while building a page of your own. Instead of memorizing a definition, look at a working example and see when the element makes sense.
The Idea in Plain English
Marks an extended quotation from another source. cite may record the quotation source URL; the visible attribution should remain readable.
For a reference page, pay attention to where the element is allowed, whether it needs a closing tag, and what other elements it can contain.
A Working Example
Read the sample once before copying it. Notice the element names and attribute values, then compare them with the explanation below.
<blockquote>
<p>Learning begins with a question.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>— Workshop poster</p>What Each Part Does
- A blockquote identifies a longer quotation.
- A paragraph keeps one idea together as readable text.
The quote is recognized as a block quotation, separate from nearby commentary.
Try It Yourself
Try replacing the example content with your own while keeping the valid HTML structure.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using blockquote only as a way to indent an ordinary paragraph.
- Changing several parts of the example at once, making it difficult to see which part caused a different result.
- Choosing a tag only because its default appearance looks right, without checking whether it describes the content correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Marks an extended quotation from another source. cite may record the quotation source URL; the visible attribution should remain readable.
- The quote is recognized as a block quotation, separate from nearby commentary.
- Test the markup in a browser, and check accessibility and real-world behavior where relevant.