Using samp HTML Tag

samp HTML: Main Tips

• The <samp> tags define the HTML sample element.
• You should use it to convey that some inline text represents output from a computer script.
• HTML samp tag doesn't have any specific attributes, but supports global attributes in HTML.
• You cannot omit the ending tag.

Using <samp> Tags

HTML <samp> tags surround inline text that represents computer output:

<samp>Sample tag output from a computer application.</samp>

That's why it's commonly used for technical documentation to specify the output (i.e. an error message).

You can also use samp HTML tag together with kbd tag to specify that the computer outputs the text which was entered by a user (i.e. to show how terminal messages in Linux, macOS or Windows might look) or to represent the onscreen input options. You can read more about it here.

For the styling of HTML sample element, most browsers choose their default monospaced font (i.e., Courier).

Default CSS Settings

Most browsers use these settings by default for code in samp HTML tags:

samp { 
    font-family: monospace;
}

Tip: learn to add additional CSS modifications in the CSS fonts tutorial.

Browser Support

Mobile Browser Support