References

Beginner-friendly references for web development, with live, editable examples.

The HTML default attribute

Attribute All modern browsers Updated
Quick answer

The HTML default attribute marks the track to be enabled by default if the user has no preference. It is used on the <track> element.

Overview

The default attribute enables a media track by default. It is used on the <video>, <audio>, <source> and <track> elements.

It configures native audio or video playback — the source, controls, autoplay and looping behavior, the poster image, and text tracks. It works with the <video>/<audio> elements and their nested <source> and <track> children.

Syntax

<track kind="captions" src="en.vtt" srclang="en" default>

Values

Value
A boolean attribute — present or absent.

Best practices

  • Provide controls so users can play, pause and seek.
  • Browsers only allow autoplay when the media is also muted.
  • Always add captions with a <track> for accessibility.
  • Offer multiple formats with nested <source> elements for broad support.

Frequently asked questions

What does the default attribute do?
Enables a media track by default.
Why won't my video autoplay?
Browsers block autoplay with sound. The media must be muted to autoplay.
How do I make media accessible?
Add captions via a <track>, and provide a transcript for audio-only content.
Which elements use the default attribute?
It is an element-specific attribute, used on the <video>, <audio>, <source> and <track> elements.
decoding defer