HTML 5

3.10. Preformatted text

3.10.1. The pre element

Block-level element, and structured inline-level element.

Contexts in which this element may be used:

Where block-level elements are expected.

Where structured inline-level elements are allowed.

Content model:

Strictly inline-level content.

Element-specific attributes:

None.

DOM interface:

No difference from HTMLElement.

The pre element represents a block of preformatted text, in which structure is represented by typographic conventions rather than by elements.

Some examples of cases where the pre element could be used:

• Including an e-mail, with paragraphs indicated by blank lines, lists indicated by lines prefixed with a bullet, and so on.
• Including fragments of computer code, with structure indicated according to the conventions of that language.
• Displaying ASCII art.

If, ignoring text nodes consisting only of whitespace, the only child of a pre is a code element, then the pre element represents a block of computer code.

If, ignoring text nodes consisting only of whitespace, the only child of a pre is a samp element, then the pre element represents a block of computer output.