HTML Tools

HTML Details Accordion Generator

Build accessible accordion and disclosure panels using the details and summary HTML elements. Create FAQ sections, collapsible content blocks, and expandable panels with CSS styling. Works without JavaScript.

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What is HTML Details Accordion Generator?

The details and summary elements create native collapsible panels in HTML. The summary is always visible and acts as the toggle. When clicked, the rest of the details content expands. Multiple open details can be exclusive, which creates accordion behavior, with the name attribute. This works without any JavaScript.

Quick answer

Use the native HTML details and summary elements to create an accordion that works without JavaScript. Each details element is independent and can be opened or closed by the user.

Limitations

  • Native details elements do not support closing one section automatically when another opens. That behavior requires custom JavaScript or the name attribute for exclusive accordion behavior.
  • The open attribute controls whether the details element starts expanded. Only one boolean state is available -- there is no partial expand.
  • Safari 17 and below do not support animating the details element open and close. Transitions require a CSS discrete transition polyfill.

How to use this tool

  1. Enter the items you want in the accordion as title|content pairs, one per line.
  2. Choose exclusive or multiple-open mode for the accordion behavior.
  3. The tool generates the details/summary HTML with CSS styling.
  4. Copy the markup and CSS into your page.

What you can use it for

  • Build a FAQ accordion for a product or service page.
  • Create collapsible documentation sections for a reference site.
  • Add expandable content blocks to a blog post for long-form content.

Use cases

Practical examples

Example

FAQ page with exclusive accordion

A FAQ page uses exclusive accordion mode so opening one question closes the others. The name attribute on each details element enforces this behavior.

Example

Recipe page with collapsible sections

A recipe page uses collapsible sections for ingredients and instructions. Each section opens independently since the accordion uses multiple-open mode.

Common mistakes

  • Hiding the default disclosure triangle without providing a visible toggle indicator.
  • Using details for critical content that must always be visible.
  • Not styling the summary element to look clickable with a hover or cursor style.

Verification

  1. Click each accordion section to verify it opens and closes independently without JavaScript errors.
  2. Test the page with JavaScript disabled to confirm the accordion still works as progressive enhancement.

FAQ

Questions about HTML Details Accordion Generator

How do I make only one details open at a time?

Add the same name attribute to each details element. This creates exclusive accordion behavior where opening one closes the others.

Does the details element work in all browsers?

Chrome 12+, Edge 79+, Safari 6+, Firefox 49+. It has near-universal support.

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