References

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The HTML srclang attribute

Attribute All modern browsers Updated
Quick answer

The HTML srclang attribute declares the language of the track's text data using a BCP 47 code. It is used on the <track> element.

Overview

The srclang attribute sets the language of a media text track. 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="subtitles" srclang="fr" src="fr.vtt" label="Français">

Values

Value
A BCP 47 language tag, e.g. en.

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 srclang attribute do?
Sets the language of a media text track.
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 srclang attribute?
It is an element-specific attribute, used on the <video>, <audio>, <source> and <track> elements.
srcdoc srcset