The <del> tag marks content that has been removed from a document — typically shown with a strikethrough. It's commonly paired with <ins> to show a tracked change.
Syntax
<del cite="https://example.com/changelog" datetime="2026-08-20">removed text</del>Basic Example
<p>Price: <del>₹6,999</del> <ins>₹4,999</ins></p>Browser output: "₹6,999" appears with a strikethrough, and "₹4,999" appears underlined right after it — a familiar e-commerce "was/now" price pattern.
How It Works
The browser applies text-decoration: line-through by default. The cite and datetime attributes carry extra machine-readable meaning that isn't shown visually at all — they're there for tools and archives that need to know exactly what changed and when.
Important Attributes
| Attribute | Purpose |
|---|---|
cite | A URL pointing to a page that explains the change (not visible to readers) |
datetime | The date/time the content was removed, in ISO 8601 format (e.g. 2026-08-20) |
Real-World Example
<p>
Course start date: <del datetime="2026-08-01">September 1</del>
<ins datetime="2026-08-15">September 15</ins>
</p>A rescheduling notice on a course page — the old date is struck through, the new date is shown right after, both dated for a clear audit trail.
Common Mistakes
- Using
<del>purely for decorative strikethrough styling with no real "this was removed" meaning — that's more honestly a job for the<s>element or CSS - Confusing
<del>with<s>—<del>means "this was edited out of a revision";<s>means "this is no longer accurate or relevant" (like a sold-out product) without implying a tracked document edit
Best Practices
- Pair
<del>with<ins>whenever you're showing a genuine before/after change - Include
datetime(andcitewhen relevant) for anything where the exact timing of a change matters
Accessibility Considerations
Some screen readers announce "deletion start/end" around <del> content. Don't rely on the strikethrough color alone to convey the removal — make sure the surrounding text (like showing the new price right next to it) also makes the change clear.
SEO Considerations
No direct ranking effect.
Browser & Modern HTML Notes
<del> is stable and well-supported; it's worth knowing the related <s> element exists for the "no longer accurate/relevant" case that isn't really a document edit.
Mini Practice
- Build a "was/now" pricing line using
<del>and<ins>. - Add a
datetimeattribute to a<del>showing exactly when content was removed.
