HTML <acronym> Element
The <acronym> element was historically used to identify an acronym or abbreviation and could provide its expanded meaning with the title attribute. The element is obsolete in modern HTML and has been replaced by the <abbr> element.
<acronym> element must not be used in new HTML. Use the <abbr> element for both abbreviations and acronyms.
Historical Syntax
Older HTML documents may contain markup similar to the following:
<acronym title="World Wide Web">WWW</acronym>This code is shown for historical reference only. The <acronym> element should not be used when creating or updating modern HTML.
Attributes
The <acronym> element did not have any element-specific attributes. Older documents commonly used the global title attribute to provide the expanded form of the acronym.
Historical Use
The <acronym> element was used to mark text representing an acronym or abbreviation. For example, an author could mark up WWW and use the title attribute to provide the expanded form, World Wide Web.
Some browsers gave <acronym> text a visual treatment such as a dotted underline, although the exact default presentation varied between browsers.
Why It Became Obsolete
HTML previously provided both <acronym> and <abbr>, which created an unnecessary distinction and confusion over which element should be used. Modern HTML uses the more general <abbr> element for both abbreviations and acronyms.
The <acronym> element is classified as entirely obsolete in the HTML Living Standard and must not be used by authors.
Modern Alternative
Use the <abbr> element instead. The optional title attribute can provide the full expansion of the abbreviation or acronym.
<p>The <abbr title="World Wide Web">WWW</abbr> changed how information is shared around the world.</p>Legacy Browser Support
The <acronym> element is obsolete, but modern browsers may still recognize and display it for compatibility with older webpages. This legacy browser support does not mean the element is valid for use in modern HTML.
Existing <acronym> elements should be replaced with <abbr> when older HTML is updated.
For detailed legacy browser compatibility information, see Can I Use: HTML <acronym> Element .
Related Elements
Use the <abbr> element to represent an abbreviation or acronym in modern HTML.
Specifications
The <acronym> element is listed as an entirely obsolete, non-conforming feature in the WHATWG HTML Living Standard . The specification directs authors to use <abbr> instead.