References

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

The HTML playsinline attribute

Attribute All modern browsers Updated
Quick answer

The HTML playsinline attribute asks the browser to play the video inline rather than going fullscreen (mainly on iOS). It is used on the <video> element.

Overview

The playsinline attribute plays a video inline instead of fullscreen. 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

<video src="clip.mp4" autoplay muted playsinline></video>

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 playsinline attribute do?
Plays a video inline instead of fullscreen.
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 playsinline attribute?
It is an element-specific attribute, used on the <video>, <audio>, <source> and <track> elements.
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