Structuring data with the HTML ``, ``, `` description list.
Jul 03, 2025 am 02:16 AM
Use the
<dl>, <dt> and <dd> tags of HTML to display terms and their definitions, product features, or key-value pairs clearly and semantically. 1. It is suitable for scenarios such as vocabulary, metadata (such as file details), FAQs and product specifications; 2. A <dl> wraps multiple <dt> (terms) and <dd> (descriptions) on the structure, which can support multiple interpretations for one term; 3. When used correctly, avoid wrapping each group of items in their respective <dl>, and should not nest titles or paragraphs in them; 4. Styles can be added through CSS to improve readability, such as setting spacing, indentation, font bolding, or using flex/grid layout. This structure is not only concise and clear, but also improves the accessibility and SEO effect of the web page.
Sometimes you may need a way to display terms and their definitions, product features, or other key-value pairs in a clean and semantic way. The HTML <dl></dl> , <dt></dt> , and <dd></dd> tags are perfect for this — they're underused but incredibly useful when applied correctly.
`, `<dt> `, `
<dd> ` description list." />What is a description list?
A description list ( <dl></dl> ) is a structured way to present a list of terms ( <dt></dt> ) and their corresponding descriptions ( <dd></dd> ). Unlike unordered or ordered lists, it's designed specifically for pairing labels with explanations.
`, `
<dt> `, `
<dd> ` description list." />You'll often see it used in glossaries, FAQs, or even metadata displays (like on product pages). It's not just about how things look — using the right tags improves accessibility and SEO by clearly defining relationships between terms and their descriptions.
When should you use it?
Use a description list when:
`, `
<dt> `, `
<dd> ` description list." />- You're listing terms and definitions (eg, a glossary)
- Displaying metadata like file details (size, type, date modified)
- Presenting frequently asked questions and answers
- Showing product specs (color, size, price, etc.)
It's especially handy when you have multiple items that each need a label and explanation. For example:
- A settings panel where each setting has a name and value
- An API documentation page showing parameters and what they do
- A contact section with labeled info like phone, email, address
How to structure it properly
The basic structure looks like this:
<dl> <dt>Term 1</dt> <dd>Description for Term 1</dd> <dt>Term 2</dt> <dd>Description for Term 2</dd> </dl>
Each <dt> represents a term, and each <dd> gives its definition or explanation. You can have more than one <dd> per <dt> if needed — for example, if a word has multiple meanings.
One thing people sometimes miss: don't wrap each pair in a separate <dl> . Just one <dl> wraps all the pairs. Also, avoid putting headers or paragraphs inside — keep it simple and semantic.
Styling tips
By default, browsers apply minimum styling, so you'll probably want to add some CSS. Here are a few quick suggestions:
- Add spacing between each term-description pair
- Indent the
<dd>elements slightly for visual hierarchy - Make
<dt>bold or change font weight to stand out - Use flexbox or grid to align them side-by-side on larger screens
For example:
dl {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: max-content auto;
gap: 0.5em;
line-height: 1.5;
}
dt {
font-weight: bold;
}This helps create a clean layout without relying on extra divs or wrappers.
Basically that's it. It's a straightforward element set once you get the hang of it — and when used appropriately, it makes your markup cleaner and more meaningful.
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