HTML

Living Standard — Last Updated 21 September 2026

1. 1. 4.8 Embedded content
      1. 4.8.1 The picture element
      2. 4.8.2 The source element
      3. 4.8.3 The img element

4.8 Embedded content

4.8.1 The picture element

Categories:

Flow content.

Phrasing content.

Embedded content.

Palpable content.

Contexts in which this element can be used:

Where embedded content is expected.

Content model:

Zero or more source elements, followed by one img element, optionally intermixed with script-supporting elements.

Tag omission in text/html:

Neither tag is omissible.

Content attributes:

Global attributes

Accessibility considerations:

For authors.

For implementers.

Sanitization:

Uncategorized.

DOM interface:

[Exposed=Window]
interface HTMLPictureElement : HTMLElement {
  [HTMLConstructor] constructor();
};

The picture element is a container which provides multiple sources to its contained img element to allow authors to declaratively control or give hints to the user agent about which image resource to use, based on the screen pixel density, viewport size, image format, and other factors. It represents its children.

The picture element is somewhat different from the similar-looking video and audio elements. While all of them contain source elements, the source element's src attribute has no meaning when the element is nested within a picture element, and the resource selection algorithm is different. Also, the picture element itself does not display anything; it merely provides a context for its contained img element that enables it to choose from multiple URLs.

4.8.2 The source element

Categories:

None.

Contexts in which this element can be used:

As a child of a picture element, before the img element.

As a child of a media element, before any flow content or track elements.