<s>

The HTML <s> element renders text with a strikethrough, or a line through it. Use the <s> element to represent things that are no longer relevant or no longer accurate. However, <s> is not appropriate when indicating document edits; for that, use the <del> and <ins> elements, as appropriate.

Content categories Phrasing content or flow content.
Permitted content Phrasing content.
Tag omission None, both the starting and ending tag are mandatory.
Permitted parents Any element that accepts phrasing content.
Implicit ARIA role No corresponding role
Permitted ARIA roles Any
DOM interface HTMLElement

Attributes

This element only includes the global attributes.

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

Examples

<s>Today's Special: Salmon</s> SOLD OUT<br>
<span style="text-decoration:line-through;">Today's Special:
  Salmon</span> SOLD OUT

Accessibility concerns

The presence of the s element is not announced by most screen reading technology in its default configuration. It can be made to be announced by using the CSS content property, along with the ::before and ::after pseudo-elements.

s::before,
s::after {
  clip-path: inset(100%);
  clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);
  height: 1px;
  overflow: hidden;
  position: absolute;
  white-space: nowrap;
  width: 1px;
}

s::before {
  content: " [start of stricken text] ";
}

s::after {
  content: " [end of stricken text] ";
}

Some people who use screen readers deliberately disable announcing content that creates extra verbosity. Because of this, it is important to not abuse this technique and only apply it in situations where not knowing content has been struck out would adversely affect understanding.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of 's element' in that specification.
Living Standard
HTML5
The definition of 's element' in that specification.
Recommendation

Browser compatibility

DesktopMobile
ChromeEdgeFirefoxInternet ExplorerOperaSafariAndroid webviewChrome for AndroidFirefox for AndroidOpera for AndroidSafari on iOSSamsung Internet
sChrome Full support YesEdge Full support 12Firefox Full support 1
Notes
Full support 1
Notes
Notes Before Firefox 4, this element implemented the HTMLSpanElement interface instead of the standard HTMLElement interface.
IE Full support YesOpera Full support YesSafari Full support YesWebView Android Full support YesChrome Android Full support YesFirefox Android Full support 4Opera Android Full support YesSafari iOS Full support YesSamsung Internet Android Full support Yes

Legend

Full support
Full support
See implementation notes.
See implementation notes.

See also

  • The <strike> element, alter ego of the <s> element is obsolete and should not be used on Web sites any more.
  • The <del> element is to be used instead if the data has been deleted.
  • The CSS text-decoration-line property is to be used to achieve the former visual aspect of the <s> element.