HTML start Attribute

HTML start Attribute

The HTML start attribute specifies the starting value used to number the items in an ordered list. It is used with the <ol> element and accepts an integer representing the ordinal value of the first list item.

Elements That Use the start Attribute

The start attribute is used with the <ol> element.

start Attribute Value

The value of the start attribute must be a valid integer. The integer determines the ordinal value assigned to the first item in the ordered list.

<ol start="5">
  <li>Item Five</li>
  <li>Item Six</li>
  <li>Item Seven</li>
</ol>

The list begins with an ordinal value of 5 and subsequent items continue from that value.

Setting the Starting Number

By default, an ordered list begins with the ordinal value 1. Use start when the list needs to begin at another value.

<ol start="10">
  <li>Item Ten</li>
  <li>Item Eleven</li>
  <li>Item Twelve</li>
</ol>

This can be useful when an ordered list continues a sequence that began earlier in the document.

Numbering Styles

The start value always represents an integer ordinal value, even when the ordered list displays another numbering style.

<ol type="A" start="3">
  <li>Third Item</li>
  <li>Fourth Item</li>
  <li>Fifth Item</li>
</ol>

Because the list starts with the ordinal value 3 and uses uppercase letters, the first marker is displayed as C. Do not use start="C"; the start attribute itself requires an integer.

Negative Values

The start attribute can use negative integers and zero.

<ol start="-2">
  <li>Negative Two</li>
  <li>Negative One</li>
  <li>Zero</li>
  <li>One</li>
</ol>

Each following list item continues the sequence from the specified starting value.

Using start with reversed

The start attribute can be combined with reversed to specify the starting ordinal value of a descending ordered list.

<ol reversed start="5">
  <li>Item Five</li>
  <li>Item Four</li>
  <li>Item Three</li>
</ol>

The first item has the ordinal value 5, and each following item decreases by one. If a reversed list does not have a start attribute, its starting value is determined by the number of list items it owns.

Default Value

When start is omitted from a normal ordered list, the first list item has the ordinal value 1 unless another mechanism, such as the value attribute on an individual <li> element, changes the numbering.

<ol>
  <li>Item One</li>
  <li>Item Two</li>
  <li>Item Three</li>
</ol>

For a reversed ordered list without start, the browser determines the starting value from the number of list items owned by the list.

Common Mistakes

Do not use text such as start="five" or a displayed marker such as start="E". The start attribute requires an integer.

Do not confuse start with the type attribute. The start attribute controls the initial ordinal value, while type controls the numbering style used to display the marker.

Do not use start on an individual <li> element. Use the value attribute when the ordinal value of a particular list item needs to be changed.

Do not assume a reversed list always begins at 1. When start is omitted from a reversed list, its starting value is based on the number of list items it owns.

Browser Support

Baseline: Widely available indicates a feature has been supported by core browsers for at least 30 months. At this stage, the feature is considered stable and safe for most websites to use without needing to worry about compatibility issues or fallbacks, as it is supported by the vast majority of users' devices and browser versions.

The start attribute on the <ol> element is widely supported in current core browsers.

Checking Browser Support

For current browser compatibility information, visit Can I Use? . Search for the HTML element or attribute you want to check. You can also narrow your search by entering an element name and attribute name separated by a colon. Search results can include related HTML features, element attributes, input types, APIs, and other technologies, so select the result that most closely matches the feature you are checking.

Try the start Attribute

The example compares a normal ordered list with one that uses start="5". The second list begins with the number 5 and continues numbering from that value.

Summary

The HTML start attribute sets the ordinal value of the first item in an <ol> element. Its value must be an integer and can be positive, zero, or negative. The attribute can also be combined with different list marker styles and with reversed to control the starting value of a descending ordered list.