HTML: All Elements From HTML 1 to XHTML 2.0
Published on Jun 30, 2007 (updated Jun 19, 2024), filed under development (feed). (Share this on Mastodon or Bluesky?)
The index now covers all HTML specifications with the exception of HTMLÂ 5.1. See the notes for the latest major update.
I just created an continuously updated index of all elements specified by HTML 3.2, HTML 4.01 (covering all document types), XHTML 1.0 Strict, XHTML 1.1, HTML 5, and XHTML 2.0, even though the latter three specifications aren’t stable yet. It’s intended to provide an overview on HTML development.
Please note that quite a few XHTML 2.0 elements are from the XForms Module. Then, this index may later feature links to elements as well as highlighting of deprecated elements, but I didn’t deem this critical for the overview yet. You can leave your vote.
Update (July 3, 2007)
Clarifying notes:
The reason to include all elements from HTML was to start with and to provide a comprehensive list of elements of the most influential markup language. The frameset-related elements should be easily locatable (
frame,frameset, andnoframes).XHTML 1.1 and XHTML 2.0 both contain Ruby markup, and XHTML 2.0 even XForms elements. That’s intended, since you are or will be able to use these elements, too.
Apart from HTML 2.0, XFrames is also a candidate for future inclusion. Let’s discuss that in this post’s comments.
Currently I see two other useful updates:
- As mentioned above, links to each element’s description, and
- a downloadable version of the index (PDF?).
Anything else?
Update (March 27, 2008)
The index has been updated to include HTML 5’s datatemplate, nest, and rule elements. I also added some stats at the end of the table. I then removed references to Rene Saarsoo’s annotated version because at the moment, it’s not up-to-date. Last but not least, a new and fresh German version is available, as the previous version lacked earlier updates, including data for HTML 3.2.
Update (March 30, 2014)
The index has undergone another major update:
It now links to all elements’ spec definitions (typically to the WHATWG version, otherwise the last spec defining the element).
It also features HTMLÂ 2.0.
Instead of including only the XHTML 1.0 Strict elements it now lists all the XHTML 1.0 elements (i.e., for Transitional). That’s consistent with how the index handles HTML 4.
Updates don’t necessarily get announced anymore; I usually maintain the index quietly.
Update (June 26, 2014)
The index now also features HTML “1.”
HTMLÂ 5.1 may be added at some point, too. The HTML draft maintained by the WHATWG is the more important specification. If you need to compare HTMLÂ 5.1, see the slightly different The Elements of HTML clone by Steve Faulkner. [The situation around the more recent WHATWG and W3C specifications has been clarified in the index itself.]
Update (January 18, 2022)
Because XHTML 2.0 never made it to “recommendation” status, that is, never became a standard, I removed it from the index. I plan something similar for HTML 5.2, as it’s an HTML snapshot that’s likewise irrelevant.
About Me
I’m Jens (long: Jens Oliver Meiert), and I’m a web developer, manager, and author. I’ve worked as a technical lead and engineering manager for small and large enterprises, I’m an occasional contributor to web standards (like HTML, CSS, WCAG), and I write and review books for O’Reilly and Frontend Dogma.
I love trying things, not only in web development and engineering management, but also in other areas like philosophy. Here on meiert.com I share some of my experiences and views. (I value you being critical, interpreting charitably, and giving feedback.)