References

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

The HTML <rp> tag

Element All modern browsers Updated
Quick answer

The HTML <rp> element provides fallback parentheses (or other characters) shown around a <rt> annotation only in browsers that cannot render <ruby> text properly.

Overview

The <rp> (ruby parenthesis) element is a graceful fallback within a <ruby> annotation. Browsers that support ruby hide it, while those that do not show its content: typically parentheses placed around the <rt> annotation.

The result is that the reading still makes sense inline even without ruby positioning: instead of the annotation floating above the base text, it appears in parentheses after it, like "漢字(かんじ)".

Syntax

<ruby>漢<rp>(</rp><rt>kan</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>

Example

Live example 
<p><ruby>語<rp>(</rp><rt>go</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby></p>

Best practices

  • Place <rp> elements around each <rt> as fallback.
  • Use opening and closing parentheses as the content, one before and one after the annotation.
  • Rely on it so the reading degrades gracefully in browsers without ruby support.
  • Use it only inside a <ruby>.

Frequently asked questions

What is the rp element?
A fallback element inside <ruby> that shows parentheses around the annotation when the browser cannot render ruby.
Why use rp?
So the reading still appears sensibly inline (in parentheses) in browsers that do not support ruby positioning.
What goes inside rp?
Usually a single parenthesis character, one before and one after the <rt> annotation.
Is rp shown in modern browsers?
No. Browsers that support ruby hide the <rp>; only those without support display it.
q rt