Deprecated in HTML5. Do not use.

<plaintext> HTML Tag

Disclosure: Your support helps keep the site running! We earn a referral fee for some of the services we recommend on this page. Learn more
What does <plaintext> HTML Tag do?
The <plaintext> element was used to render HTML code as plain text. Since everything after the opening tag was rendered as plain text, there was no closing <plaintext> tag. This element is obsolete and should not be used. Instead, use the <code> or <pre> elements.
Display
inline

<plaintext> was intended as a way for browsers to render text without rendering the HTML. It was never properly implemented, and is now considered obsolete.

Claire is seasoned technical writer, editor, and HTML enthusiast. She writes for HTML.com and runs a content agency, Red Robot Media.