What replaced the tag in HTML?

The functionality of the tag can be achieved using the (unordered list) or (ordered list) tags in modern HTML.

How did the tag differ from the tag?

The tag was specifically intended for directory listings, whereas the tag is more general and can be used for any unordered list.

HTML dir Tag

Last Updated : 22 Nov, 2024

The HTML <dir> tag is used to make a list of directory titles. It is not supported in HTML4 as in HTML5 <ul> or CSS are used instead of <dir> tag.

Note: The <dir> tag is deprecated & no longer supported in HTML5

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<body>
    <p>List of all computer science subjects:</p>
    <dir>
        <li>Operating system</li>
        <li>Data Structures</li>
        <li>Computer network</li>
        <li>DBMS</li>
        <li>OOPs</li>
    </dir>
</body>

</html>

Syntax

<dir>
     <li></li>
     <li></li>
</dir>

Values

Values	Descriptions
ltr	Used for languages that read from left to right, like English.
rtl	Used for languages that read from right to left, such as Arabic.
auto	Let the browser decide the text direction based on the content’s characters, applying the dominant direction to the whole element.

Alternative of dir Tag

The <ul> tag is perfect for unordered lists where the sequence of items doesn’t matter. It’s widely used in navigation menus, bullet-point lists, and more.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<body>
    <ul>
        <li>Mouse</li>
        <li>Keyboard</li>
        <li>Speaker</li>
        <li>Monitor</li>
    </ul>
</body>

</html>

HTML <dir> tag – FAQs

What replaced the <dir> tag in HTML?

The functionality of the <dir> tag can be achieved using the <ul> (unordered list) or <ol> (ordered list) tags in modern HTML.

Can I still use the <dir> tag in HTML5?

Technically, you can use the <dir> tag, but it is considered obsolete, and its use is discouraged. It’s better to use <ul> or <ol> for lists.

How did the <dir> tag differ from the <ul> tag?

The <dir> tag was specifically intended for directory listings, whereas the <ul> tag is more general and can be used for any unordered list.

What attributes did the <dir> tag support?

The <dir> tag supported global HTML attributes and some specific ones like compact, which indicated that the list should be rendered in a compact style (which is also obsolete).

Why was the <dir> tag deprecated?

The <dir> tag was deprecated because its purpose was too specific and was better handled by more versatile elements like <ul> and <ol> that fit modern HTML standards.