Definition and Usage

The cite attribute specifies a URL that references the source of a quote or change.

This attribute is used with tags such as <q>, <blockquote>, <ins>, and <del>.
It enhances information credibility by providing source details for quotes or changes, enabling authors and search engines to utilize this information.

Basic Example

HTML 
<p>
    Tim Berners-Lee said:
    <q cite="https://example.com/example">
        The internet is a human right.
    </q>
</p>
Rendered Output

Applicable Tags and Uses of the cite Attribute

Applicable Tags and Uses of the cite Attribute
<q> The URL specifying the source document or message of the quoted information.
<blockquote> The URL specifying the source document or message of the quoted information.
<ins> The URL of a resource providing information about the inserted content.
<del> The URL of a resource providing information about the deleted content.

The cite attribute is not a required attribute.
Its value is not displayed to users when viewing the web page. However, using the cite attribute explicitly provides the source of a quote or change, enhancing the credibility of the information and allowing authors, web developers, and search engines to utilize this data.

Examples

Check out how the cite attribute is used with the <q>, <blockquote>, <ins>, and <del> tags through the following examples.

Using the cite attribute with <q>

HTML 
<p>
    Here is a famous quote:
    <q cite="https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/albert_einstein_100134">
        Imagination is limitless. Knowledge is limited.
    </q>
</p>
Rendered Output

In this example, the cite attribute on the <q> tag provides the URL of the original source document for the quoted information.

Using the cite attribute with <blockquote>

HTML 
<p>The following is a quotation from Wikipedia.</p>
<blockquote cite="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romeo_and_Juliet">
    <p>
        The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, often shortened to Romeo and Juliet,
        is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare about the romance
        between two young Italians from feuding families.
        It was among Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and,
        along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed. Today,
        the title characters are regarded as archetypal young lovers.
    </p>
</blockquote>
Rendered Output

In this example, the cite attribute on the <blockquote> tag provides the URL of the original source document for the cited information.

Using the cite attribute with <ins>

HTML 
<p>
    Here is a description of the latest update:
    <ins cite="https://example.com/changelog">
        Latest update details...
    </ins>
</p>
Rendered Output

In this example, the cite attribute on the <ins> tag provides the URL of the original resource page containing the latest update information.

Using the cite attribute with <del>

HTML 
<p>
    The following feature has been removed:
    <del cite="https://example.com/changelog">
        Details about the removed feature...
    </del>
</p>
Rendered Output

In this example, the cite attribute on the <del> tag provides the URL of the original resource page containing details about the removed feature.

Browser compatibility

The cite attribute has the following browser compatibility across supported tags.

Browser compatibility for the cite Attribute
Attribute
Desktop Chrome
Chrome
DesktopDesktop Edge
Edge
Desktop Firefox
Firefox
Safari
Safari
<q> cite 1 12 1 3
<blockquote> cite 1 12 1 4
<ins> cite 1 12 1 3
<del> cite 1 12 1 4

Specifications

Specification for the cite Attribute
Specification
<q> cite HTML Standard
#attr-q-cite
<blockquote> cite HTML Standard
#attr-blockquote-cite
<ins>,<del> cite HTML Standard
#attributes-common-to-ins-and-del-elements

References

See also