References

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

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 <track> element.

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 <track> element.
srcdoc srcset