HTML rev Attribute

Introduction

The rev attribute described the reverse relationship on a hyperlink — how the linked document relates back to the current page. It was the inverse of rel on the same <a> or <link> element. Important: rev is obsolete in HTML5 and should not be used in new projects. Modern sites use rel from each document’s own perspective instead. This tutorial explains rev for learning legacy markup and understanding how it differs from rel.

What You’ll Learn

Purpose of rev Attribute

In HTML 4, link relationships could be expressed in two directions on one tag. The rel attribute said what the linked resource is to the current document (forward). The rev attribute said what the current document is to the linked resource (reverse).

For example, a chapter page linking to its book might use rel="up" (the target is above in the hierarchy). The same link could also have used rev="subsection" (the current page is a subsection of the target). HTML5 dropped rev because expressing one direction with rel is clearer and sufficient.

📝 Syntax

Legacy syntax on a or link (historical reference only):

<!-- Reverse relationship (obsolete) -->
<a href="/guide/index.html" rev="subsection">Back to guide</a>

<!-- Modern equivalent: use rel from this page -->
<a href="/guide/index.html" rel="up">Back to guide</a>

Syntax Rules

• Value is a space-separated list of link type keywords (like rel).
• Historically valid on <a> and <link>.
• Describes relationship from linked resource → current document.
• Obsolete in HTML5 — validators may flag it.
• JavaScript: element.rev existed on legacy DOM interfaces.
• Prefer rel on each page instead of rev.
• Not related to reversed on ol (different attribute).

💎 Values

Common legacy rev keywords (HTML 4 link types):

• rev="made" — Linked resource was created by the author of the current page (e.g. author homepage link).
• rev="subsection" — Current document is a subsection of the linked resource.
• rev="derived" — Current document was derived from the linked resource.
• rev="related" — General reverse relationship between documents.

<!-- Author page link (legacy) -->
<a href="https://author.example.com" rev="made">Author</a>

<!-- Modern: use rel=author on the same link -->
<a href="https://author.example.com" rel="author">Author</a>

Applicable Elements

rev vs rel

Examples Gallery

Legacy rev markup, dynamic element.rev in JavaScript, and the modern rel replacement.

<a href="/docs/related-page.html" rev="related">
  Related document
</a>

<a id="dynamicLink" href="https://example.com">Visit Example</a>

<script>
  document.getElementById("dynamicLink").rev = "made";
</script>

<!-- Instead of rev="subsection" -->
<a href="/guide/" rel="up">Parent guide</a>

<!-- Instead of rev="made" -->
<a href="https://author.example.com" rel="author">Author</a>

<!-- Pagination -->
<a href="/page/2" rel="next">Next</a>

♿ Accessibility

• No user-facing effect — rev never changed how links looked or behaved for assistive tech.
• Use clear link text — Relationship metadata does not replace descriptive anchor text.
• Landmarks from rel — Modern rel values like prev/next can aid navigation when paired with visible labels.
• Do not rely on rev — Screen readers and browsers do not expose obsolete rev semantics.
• Not reversed on ol — Do not confuse with the reversed boolean on ordered lists.

💡 Best Practices