References

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

The HTML <rt> tag

Element All modern browsers Updated
Quick answer

The HTML <rt> element contains the annotation text (such as a pronunciation) of a <ruby> annotation, displayed above or beside the base characters.

Overview

The <rt> (ruby text) element holds the small annotation — the reading or meaning — that appears with its base text inside a <ruby>. It is rendered above (or beside) the characters it annotates.

Each base run of text is paired with an <rt>. Keep the annotation compact, since it is displayed at a reduced size; for browsers without ruby support, wrap it with <rp> fallback parentheses.

Syntax

<ruby>漢<rt>kan</rt></ruby>

Example

Live example 
<p><ruby>水<rt>みず</rt></ruby></p>

Best practices

  • Pair each base run with its own <rt> annotation.
  • Keep the annotation short — it renders small above the base text.
  • Surround it with <rp> parentheses for graceful fallback.
  • Use it only inside a <ruby>.

Frequently asked questions

What is the rt element?
It holds the ruby annotation text — the reading or meaning shown with its base characters inside a <ruby>.
What goes inside rt?
The short annotation — a pronunciation guide such as furigana or pinyin for the base text.
How does rt pair with the base text?
Each run of base text inside the <ruby> is followed by its <rt> annotation.
What is the difference between rt and rp?
<rt> is the annotation itself; <rp> is the fallback parentheses for browsers without ruby support.
rp rtc