The HTML Variable element (<var>
) represents the name of a variable in a mathematical expression or a programming context. It's typically presented using an italicized version of the current typeface, although that behavior is browser-dependent.
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Content categories | Flow content, phrasing content, palpable 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.
Usage notes
Related elements
Other elements that are used in contexts in which <var>
is commonly used include:
<code>
: The HTML Code element<kbd>
: The HTML Keyboard input element<samp>
: The HTML Sample Output element
If you encounter code that is mistakenly using <var>
for style purposes rather than semantic purposes, you should either use a <span>
with appropriate CSS or, an appropriate semantic element among the following:
Default style
Most browsers apply font-style
to "italic"
when rendering <var>
. This can be overridden in CSS, like this:
var { font: bold 15px "Courier", "Courier New", monospace; }
Examples
Basic example
Here's a simple example, using <var>
to denote variable names in a mathematical equation.
<p>A simple equation: <var>x</var> = <var>y</var> + 2 </p>
The output:
Overriding the default style
Using CSS, you can override the default style for the <var>
element. In this example, variable names are rendered using bold Courier if it's available, otherwise it falls back to the default monospace font.
CSS
var { font: bold 15px "Courier", "Courier New", monospace; }
HTML
<p>The variables <var>minSpeed</var> and <var>maxSpeed</var> control the minimum and maximum speed of the apparatus in revolutions per minute (RPM).</p>
This HTML uses <var>
to enclose the names of two variables.
Result
Specifications
Specification | Status | Comment |
---|---|---|
HTML Living Standard The definition of '<var>' in that specification. |
Living Standard | |
HTML5 The definition of '<var>' in that specification. |
Recommendation |
Browser compatibility
Desktop | Mobile | |||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
var | Chrome Full support Yes | Edge Full support 12 | Firefox Full support 1 | IE Full support Yes | Opera Full support Yes | Safari Full support Yes | WebView Android Full support Yes | Chrome Android Full support Yes | Firefox Android Full support 4 | Opera Android Full support Yes | Safari iOS Full support Yes | Samsung Internet Android Full support Yes |
Legend
- Full support
- Full support