<span> HTML content span element

The <span> HTML element is a generic inline container for phrasing content, which does not inherently represent anything. It can be used to group elements for styling purposes (using the class or id attributes), or because they share attribute values, such as lang. It should be used only when no other semantic element is appropriate. <span> is very much like a <div> element, but <div> is a block-level element whereas a <span> is an inline-level element.

Try it

<p>
  Add the <span class="ingredient">basil</span>,
  <span class="ingredient">pine nuts</span> and
  <span class="ingredient">garlic</span> to a blender and blend into a paste.
</p>

<p>
  Gradually add the <span class="ingredient">olive oil</span> while running the
  blender slowly.
</p>

span.ingredient {
  color: red;
}

Attributes

This element only includes the global attributes.

Example

Example 1

HTML

<p><span>Some text</span></p>

Result

Example 2

HTML

<li>
  <span>
    <a href="portfolio.html" target="_blank">See my portfolio</a>
  </span>
</li>

CSS

li span {
  background: gold;
}

Result

Technical summary

Specifications

• HTML

See also

• HTML <div> element