You might see <kbd> 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 keyboard keys or other user input in instructions.
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>Press <kbd>Ctrl</kbd> + <kbd>S</kbd> to save your work.</p>What Each Part Does
- The kbd element marks keyboard or other user input.
- A paragraph keeps one idea together as readable text.
The keyboard shortcut is clearly identified in the instruction.
Try It Yourself
Try replacing the example content with your own while keeping the valid HTML structure.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using kbd for arbitrary code listings that should use code.
- 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 keyboard keys or other user input in instructions.
- The keyboard shortcut is clearly identified in the instruction.
- Test the markup in a browser, and check accessibility and real-world behavior where relevant.