ins

The HTML <ins> element marks text that was added to a document after an earlier version. It can be paired with <del> to show an edit or revision.

What you will learn

What meaning ins gives to newly added content
How to pair it with del for a revision
Why a semantic change marker is different from a decorative underline

Basic example

<p>
  The plan includes coffee
  <ins datetime="2026-09-05">and tea</ins>.
</p>

The visible text is the new content. The optional datetime attribute can record when the addition was made using a machine-readable date or date-time.

Show a replacement with del

<p>
  The meeting starts at
  <del datetime="2026-09-04">10:00</del>
  <ins datetime="2026-09-05">11:00</ins>.
</p>

Use del for content removed from an earlier version and ins for content added afterward. The visual line-through or underline is only a default presentation; the meaning comes from the elements.

Do not use ins as a link style

If text is underlined because it is a link, use a. If text needs emphasis or importance, use the appropriate semantic element. Use ins only when the content is actually an addition or revision.

Accessibility and editing workflows

Change markers help communicate document history, but an automatic visual style may not be enough for every reader. Explain the revision in surrounding text when the distinction matters, and ensure the current content remains understandable without relying only on color.

Common mistakes

Using ins for every piece of newly typed content in a form.
Using it merely to create an underline or highlight.
Including a date in a non-standard format that machines cannot parse consistently.
Showing deleted and inserted versions without making the current meaning clear.