W3cubDocs

/HTML

id (attribute)

The id global attribute defines a unique identifier (ID) which must be unique in the whole document. Its purpose is to identify the element when linking (using a fragment identifier), scripting, or styling (with CSS).

This attribute's value is an opaque string: this means that web author must not use it to convey any information. Particular meaning, for example semantic meaning, must not be derived from the string.

This attribute's value must not contain whitespace (spaces, tabs etc.). Browsers treat non-conforming IDs that contain whitespace as if the whitespace is part of the ID. In contrast to the class attribute, which allows space-separated values, elements can only have one single ID.

Note: Using characters except ASCII letters, digits, '_', '-' and '.' may cause compatibility problems, as they weren't allowed in HTML 4. Though this restriction has been lifted in HTML 5, an ID should start with a letter for compatibility.

Specifications

Specification Status Comment
HTML Living Standard
The definition of 'id' in that specification.
Living Standard No change from latest snapshot, HTML 5.1
HTML 5.1
The definition of 'id' in that specification.
Recommendation Snapshot of HTML Living Standard, no change from HTML5
HTML5
The definition of 'id' in that specification.
Recommendation Snapshot of HTML Living Standard, now accept '_', '-' and '.' if not at the beginning fo the id. It is also a true global attribute.
HTML 4.01 Specification
The definition of 'id' in that specification.
Recommendation Supported on all elements but <base>, <head>, <html>, <meta>, <script>, <style>, and <title>.

Browser compatibilityUpdate compatibility data on GitHub

Desktop
Chrome Edge Firefox Internet Explorer Opera Safari
Basic support Yes Yes 32
32
? — 32
id is a true global attribute only since Firefox 32.
Yes Yes Yes
Mobile
Android webview Chrome for Android Edge Mobile Firefox for Android Opera for Android iOS Safari Samsung Internet
Basic support Yes Yes Yes 32
32
? — 32
id is a true global attribute only since Firefox 32.
Yes Yes Yes

See also

© 2005–2018 Mozilla Developer Network and individual contributors.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License v2.5 or later.
https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Web/HTML/Global_attributes/id