How to create an accordion using the details and summary elements?
Jul 10, 2025 pm 01:58 PMUse the HTML
Creating an according with the HTML <details></details>
and <summary></summary>
elements is actually pretty straightforward — and the best part? It works without any JavaScript. Let's walk through how to do it, what to watch out for, and a few small touches that make it more user-friendly.

Basic Structure: Start With HTML
To build a simple according, all you need is a <details></details>
tag with a <summary></summary>
inside it. The content after the <summary></summary>
will be the collapse section.
Here's a basic example:

<details> <summary>Click to expand</summary> <p>This is the hidden content that shows when the user clicks.</p> </details>
That's it — this already works as a functioning according in most modern browsers. No JavaScript needed. You can have multiple of these on a page, and each one operates independently.
Styling Tips: Make It Look Like an Accordion
By default, <summary>
has some built-in styles (like a little arrow), but if you want a cleaner look or need it to match your site design, a bit of CSS helps.

Here are a few common tweaks:
Remove the default arrow icon:
summary::-webkit-details-marker { display: none; }
Add custom styling to the summary:
summary { cursor: pointer; padding: 10px; background-color: #f0f0f0; border: 1px solid #ccc; list-style: none; }
Optional: Add a custom icon or indicator for open/closed state using the
:after
pseudo-element and check the[open]
attribute:details[open] > summary::after { content: '▼'; } summary::after { content: '?'; margin-left: 10px; }
These small visual cues help users understand they can click to expand or collapse the section.
Accessibility and Usability Notes
One thing to keep in mind: while
<details></details>
and<summary></summary>
are accessible by default, not all screen readers fully support them yet. If accessibility is critical, you might consider adding ARIA attributes to improve compatibility.A few things to consider:
- Use clear and describe text in the
<summary></summary>
so users know what they're clicking. - Avoid putting interactive elements like links or buttons inside the
<summary></summary>
— it can confuse keyboard navigation. - Test in different browsers. While Chrome, Edge, and Firefox support it well, Safari and mobile browsers may behave slightly differently.
Also, remember that older browsers (like IE) don't support
<details></details>
at all. If you need to support those, you'll need a JavaScript fallback or polyfill.
So yeah, building an according with
<details></details>
and<summary></summary>
is totally doable, looks clean, and doesn't require extra code unless you're aiming for advanced features or better browser compatibility. Just a few lines of HTML and optional CSS — no JavaScript necessary.The above is the detailed content of How to create an accordion using the details and summary elements?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
- Use clear and describe text in the

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