dir #

::: section-content The dir global attribute is an enumerated attribute that indicates the directionality of the element's text. :::

Try it #

::: section-content ::: iframe ::: {.output-header .border-rounded-top}

HTML Demo: dir #

Reset :::

::: {#warning-no-script .warning-container} ::: warning The interactive example cannot be shown because JavaScript is disabled. ::: :::

::: {#warning-mathml-not-supported .warning-container .hidden} ::: warning The interactive example cannot be shown because MathML is not supported by your browser. ::: :::

::: {#editor-container .editor-container .tabbed-standard .hidden .border-rounded-bottom editor-type=“tabbed”} ::: {#tab-container .section .tabs} ::: {#tablist .tab-list role=“tablist”} HTML

CSS

JavaScript :::

::: {#html-panel .section .hidden tabindex=“0” role=“tabpanel” aria-labelledby=“html” aria-hidden=“true”} ::: {#html-editor}

This paragraph is in English but incorrectly goes right to left.

This paragraph is in English and correctly goes left to right.

<hr />

<p>هذه الفقرة باللغة العربية ولكن بشكل خاطئ من اليسار إلى اليمين.</p>
<p dir="auto">هذه الفقرة باللغة العربية ، لذا يجب الانتقال من اليمين إلى اليسار.</p>

::: :::

::: {#css-panel .section .hidden tabindex=“0” role=“tabpanel” aria-labelledby=“css” aria-hidden=“true”} ::: {#css-editor} ::: :::

::: {#js-panel .section .hidden tabindex=“0” role=“tabpanel” aria-labelledby=“js” aria-hidden=“true”} ::: {#js-editor} ::: ::: :::

::: {#output .output-container}

Output #

::: :::

::: {.section .console-container .hidden aria-hidden=“true”}

Console Output #

![] clear console

::: {#console .console} ::: :::

::: {#html-output .output .editor-tabbed} %html-content% ::: :::

It can have the following values:

ltr, which means left to right and is to be used for languages that are written from the left to the right (like English);
rtl, which means right to left and is to be used for languages that are written from the right to the left (like Arabic);
auto, which lets the user agent decide. It uses a basic algorithm as it parses the characters inside the element until it finds a character with a strong directionality, then applies that directionality to the whole element.

::: {#sect1 .notecard .note} Note: This attribute is mandatory for the <bdo> element where it has a different semantic meaning.

This attribute is not inherited by the <bdi> element. If not set, its value is auto.
This attribute can be overridden by the CSS properties direction and unicode-bidi, if a CSS page is active and the element supports these properties.
As the directionality of the text is semantically related to its content and not to its presentation, it is recommended that web developers use this attribute instead of the related CSS properties when possible. That way, the text will display correctly even on a browser that doesn't support CSS or has the CSS deactivated.
The auto value should be used for data with an unknown directionality, like data coming from user input, eventually stored in a database. :::

::: {#sect2 .notecard .note} Note: Browsers might allow users to change the directionality of <input> and <textarea>s in order to assist with authoring content. Chrome and Safari provide a directionality option in the contextual menu of input fields while Legacy Edge uses the key combinations [Ctrl]{.kbd} + [Left Shift]{.kbd} and [Ctrl]{.kbd} + [Right Shift]{.kbd}. Firefox uses [Ctrl]{.kbd}/[Cmd]{.kbd} + [Shift]{.kbd} + [X]{.kbd} but does NOT update the dir attribute value. ::: :::

Specifications #

::: _table #

Specification #

HTML Standard
[# the-dir-attribute]{.small}

:::

Browser compatibility #

::: _table Desktop Mobile

      Chrome    Edge   Firefox   Internet Explorer   Opera   Safari   WebView Android   Chrome Android   Firefox for Android   Opera Android   Safari on IOS   Samsung Internet

dir 1 79 1 No 15 ≤4 4.4 18 4 14 ≤3.2 1.0 :::