HTML alt Attribute

Definition and Usage

The alt attribute provides alternative information for an image if a user for some reason cannot view it (because of slow connection, an error in the src attribute, or if the user uses a screen reader).

Note: The alt attribute is required for the <img> element.

Note: For <input> elements, the alt attribute can only be used with <input type="image">.

Tip: To create a tooltip for an image, use the title attribute!

Applies to

The alt attribute can be used on the following elements:

Elements	Attribute
<area>	alt
<img>	alt
<input>	alt

Examples

Area Example

An image map, with clickable areas:

<img src="planets.gif" width="145" height="126" alt="Planets"
usemap="#planetmap">

<map name="planetmap">
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,82,126" href="sun.htm" alt="Sun">
<area shape="circle" coords="90,58,3" href="mercur.htm" alt="Mercury">
<area shape="circle" coords="124,58,8" href="venus.htm" alt="Venus">
</map>

Img Example

An image with an alternate text specified:

<img src="love.jpg" alt="Love">

Input Example

An HTML form with an image that represents the submit button:

<form action="/action_page.php">
First name: <input type="text" name="fname"><br>
<input type="image" src="submit.jpg" alt="Submit" width="48" height="48">
</form>

Browser Support

The alt attribute has the following browser support for each element:

Element
area	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
img	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
input	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes