dd

The HTML <dd> element provides a description, definition, or value for a term in a <dl> description list.

Basic glossary example

<dl>
  <dt>HTML</dt>
  <dd>The language used to structure web documents.</dd>
  <dt>CSS</dt>
  <dd>The language used to style and lay out documents.</dd>
</dl>

dt names the term and dd supplies its description. Keep the relationship clear so the list can be read as term-and-explanation pairs.

One term can have multiple descriptions

<dl>
  <dt>Cache</dt>
  <dd>A stored copy used to speed up a response.</dd>
  <dd>A common source of stale content during development.</dd>
</dl>

A term may have more than one dd when the descriptions are separate but belong to the same term. A description can also contain paragraphs, links, or other flow content.

FAQ pattern

<dl>
  <dt>How do I reset my password?</dt>
  <dd>Select “Reset password” on the sign-in page.</dd>
</dl>

Questions and answers can form a description list when the markup clearly represents pairs. For a long interactive disclosure, consider whether a heading and paragraphs or a details component would be clearer.

Common mistakes

• Using dd as an arbitrary indentation or layout element.
• Putting a description outside a dl.
• Using a description list for ordinary navigation or a table of unrelated data.
• Relying on default indentation instead of choosing CSS for presentation.

Related pages

• data: connect text with machine-readable values
• details: create a disclosure widget
• HTML reference index