You might see <code> 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 a short fragment of computer code inside ordinary text; pair with pre when spacing matters for multiline examples.
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.
<p>Write <code><h1></code> to start a top-level heading.</p>What Each Part Does
- The code element marks computer code written within surrounding text.
- A paragraph keeps one idea together as readable text.
The HTML tag is displayed as inline code rather than interpreted as markup.
Try It Yourself
Try replacing the example content with your own while keeping the valid HTML structure.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Forgetting to escape literal less-than signs inside code examples.
- 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 a short fragment of computer code inside ordinary text; pair with pre when spacing matters for multiline examples.
- The HTML tag is displayed as inline code rather than interpreted as markup.
- Test the markup in a browser, and check accessibility and real-world behavior where relevant.