HTML <area> altAttribute
HTML <area> TagExample
An image map with clickable areas:
<img src="planets.gif.html"
width="145" height="126"
alt="Planets"
usemap="#planetmap">
<map name="planetmap">
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,82,126" href="sun.htm.html" alt="Sun">
<area shape="circle" coords="90,58,3" href="mercur.htm.html" alt="Mercury">
<area shape="circle" coords="124,58,8" href="venus.htm.html" alt="Venus">
</map>
usemap="#planetmap">
<map name="planetmap">
<area shape="rect" coords="0,0,82,126" href="sun.htm.html" alt="Sun">
<area shape="circle" coords="90,58,3" href="mercur.htm.html" alt="Mercury">
<area shape="circle" coords="124,58,8" href="venus.htm.html" alt="Venus">
</map>
Try it Yourself »
Browser Support
All major browsers support the alt attribute.
Definition and Usage
The alt attribute is a required attribute that specifies alternative text when the image cannot be displayed.
If users cannot view the image for the following reasons, the alt attribute can provide alternative information for the image:
- Slow internet speed
- Error in the src attribute
- The browser has images disabled
- The user uses a screen reader
The alt attribute is required if the href attribute is used.
Differences between HTML 4.01 and HTML5
In HTML 4.01, the alt attribute is required.
In HTML5, the alt attribute is required only when the href attribute is used. If the href attribute is not used, the alt attribute is not needed either.
Syntax
<area alt="text">
Attribute Values
| Value | Description |
|---|---|
| text | Specifies alternative text for the area when the image cannot be displayed. |
Other Extensions