HTML <ul> Tag

Example

An unordered HTML list:

<ul>
<li>Coffee</li>
<li>Tea</li>
<li>Milk</li>
</ul>

Try it Yourself »

More “Try it Yourself” examples below.


Definition and Usage

The <ul> tag defines an unordered (bulleted) list.

Use the <ul> tag together with the <li> tag to create unordered lists.


Browser Support

Element
<ul> Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Tips and Notes

Tip: Use CSS to style lists.

Tip: To create ordered lists, use the <ol> tag.


Differences Between HTML 4.01 and HTML5

The “compact” and “type” attributes are not supported in HTML5.


Attributes

Attribute Value Description
compact compact Not supported in HTML5.
Specifies that the list should render smaller than normal
type disc
square
circle
Not supported in HTML5.
Specifies the kind of marker to use in the list

Global Attributes

The <ul> tag also supports the Global Attributes in HTML.


Event Attributes

The <ul> tag also supports the Event Attributes in HTML.


Related Pages

HTML tutorial: HTML Lists

HTML DOM reference: Ul Object

CSS Tutorial: Styling Lists


Default CSS Settings

Most browsers will display the <ul> element with the following default values:

Example

ul {
display: block;
list-style-type: disc;
margin-top: 1em;
margin-bottom: 1 em;
margin-left: 0;
margin-right: 0;
padding-left: 40px;
}

Try it Yourself »

HTML <ul> compact Attribute

Example

Use of the compact attribute in an unordered HTML list:

<ul compact>
<li>Coffee</li>
<li>Tea</li>
<li>Milk</li>
</ul>

Try it Yourself »


Definition and Usage

The compact attribute is a boolean attribute.

When present, it specifies that the list should render smaller than normal, by reducing the space between lines and the indentation of the list.


Browser Support

Attribute
compact Not supported Not supported Not supported Not supported Not supported

Compatibility Notes

The compact attribute of <ul> is not supported in HTML5. Use CSS instead.

CSS syntax: <ul style=”line-height: 80%”>

CSS Example: Reduce line-height in a list

In our CSS tutorial you can find more details about the line-height property.


Differences Between HTML and XHTML

In XHTML, attribute minimization is forbidden, and the compact attribute must be defined as <ul compact=”compact”>.


Syntax

<ul compact>

HTML <ul> type Attribute

Example

Use of the type attribute in an unordered HTML list:

<ul type=”square”>
<li>Coffee</li>
<li>Tea</li>
<li>Milk</li>
</ul>

Try it Yourself »


Definition and Usage

The type attribute specifies the kind of marker to use in the unordered list.


Browser Support

Attribute
type Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Compatibility Notes

The type attribute of <ul> is not supported in HTML5. Use CSS instead.

CSS syntax: <ul style=”list-style-type:square”>

CSS Example: list style type

In our CSS tutorial you can find more details about the list-style-type property.


Syntax

<ul type=”disc|circle|square”>

Attribute Values

Value Description
disc Default. A filled circle
circle An unfilled circle
square A filled square

Post Author: Zahid Farid