<big>: The Bigger Text element

Obsolete
This feature is obsolete. Although it may still work in some browsers, its use is discouraged since it could be removed at any time. Try to avoid using it.

The obsolete HTML Big Element (<big>) renders the enclosed text at a font size one level larger than the surrounding text (medium becomes large, for example). The size is capped at the browser's maximum permitted font size.

Usage note: As it was purely presentational, this element has been removed in HTML5 and shouldn't be used anymore. Instead web developers should use the CSS font-size property to adjust the font size.

Attributes

This element has no other attributes than the global attributes, common to all elements.

Examples

Here we see examples showing the use of <big> followed by an example showing how to accomplish the same results using modern CSS syntax instead.

Using <big>

This example uses the obsolete <big> element to increase the size of some text.

HTML

<p>
  This is the first sentence. <big>This whole
  sentence is in bigger letters.</big>
</p>

Result

Using CSS font-size

This example uses the CSS font-size property to increase the font size by one level.

CSS

.bigger {
  font-size: larger;
}

HTML

<p>
  This is the first sentence. <span class="bigger">This whole
  sentence is in bigger letters.</span>
</p>

Result

DOM interface

This element implements the HTMLElement interface.

Implementation note: Up to Gecko 1.9.2 inclusive, Firefox implements the HTMLSpanElement interface for this element.

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
big
DeprecatedNon-standard
Chrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support YesIE Full support YesOpera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support YesOpera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
Non-standard. Expect poor cross-browser support.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.
Deprecated. Not for use in new websites.

See also