HTML <tfoot> Element: Reference and Examples

The <tfoot> element is used for group summary rows at the bottom of a table. You will run into it while reading other people’s HTML, and it is useful to know what job it does before copying the code.

What does <tfoot> mean?

Group summary rows at the bottom of a table. The tag gives the browser a specific kind of content to work with. It is more helpful to choose a tag for its meaning than because of its default look.

Tfoot helps identify the summary of tabular data, often totals.

A working HTML example

Here is a small example you can place in an HTML page and inspect in your browser:

<table>
    <caption>Order</caption>
    <thead><tr><th>Item</th><th>Price</th></tr></thead>
    <tbody><tr><td>Pen</td><td>$2</td></tr></tbody>
    <tfoot><tr><th scope="row">Total</th><td>$2</td></tr></tfoot>
</table>

Reading the example

Find the <tfoot> part first. Notice which elements are around it and how its content or attributes are connected to those other elements.

In this example, <tfoot> appears alongside table, tr. That context is often just as important as the element itself.

The browser builds its document from these relationships. Any CSS changes appearance, while interactive JavaScript behavior must be provided separately when the example includes it.

When should you use it?

Use <tfoot> when you want to group summary rows at the bottom of a table. A sensible example of this on a real website is the markup shown above; it gives the browser and accessibility tools a clearer job to work with.

Common companions are table, tr. Check the nesting requirements before moving the element into a different location.

Try it yourself

Change the example content to something from your own website, then check the rendered page and the browser inspector.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Use tfoot for the table’s summary rows, not as a general page footer.
Picking <tfoot> only because it looks a certain way instead of checking what it means.
Forgetting to inspect the surrounding markup when an element does not behave as expected.

Key Takeaways

<tfoot> helps group summary rows at the bottom of a table.
Tfoot helps identify the summary of tabular data, often totals.
Start with meaningful markup, then add styling or scripting only when the page needs it.