JavaScript Element ariaDetailsElements Property

Beginner
5 min read
Updated: Nov 2026
3 examples
Property
Decorative image with the word ARIADETAILSELEMENTS

Definition

Element.ariaDetailsElements is an array of elements that provide accessible details for the element it is applied to (MDN). Details are similar to an accessible description, but usually more verbose.

Read the notes below before you get or set this property. Prefer feature detection when support is limited.

Syntax

Use el.ariaDetailsElements. Start with this line.

JavaScript
const nodes = button.ariaDetailsElements;
CallWhat it does
const nodes = button.ariaDetailsElements;Primary signature.

Built into the browser. Read or assign el.ariaDetailsElements — no import required.

Library declarations
JavaScript
const nodes = button.ariaDetailsElements;

Parameters

ParameterDescription
PropertyRequired. el.ariaDetailsElements
AttributeOptional. aria-details id list

Return Value

Return ValueDescription
*The current value of el.ariaDetailsElements.

JavaScript Examples

Example 1 — Read Details from aria-details (MDN)

Resolve the attribute into elements, then join their text.

JavaScript
const button = document.querySelector("button");

console.log("aria-details:", button.getAttribute("aria-details"));

if ("ariaDetailsElements" in Element.prototype) {
  const nodes = button.ariaDetailsElements;
  const text = nodes.map((el) => el.textContent.trim()).join(" ");
  console.log("Accessible details:", text);
} else {
  console.log("ariaDetailsElements not supported");
}
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Read the attribute with getAttribute("aria-details") (id list).
  2. Feature-detect the property. Baseline Newly available since Apr 2025.
  3. Read ariaDetailsElements. Valid in-scope ids become element nodes.
  4. Join textContent. MDN’s way to build a details string for logging/debug.

Example 2 — Set Details Without ids

Assign element references; the attribute is cleared (MDN).

JavaScript
const button = document.querySelector("button");
const d1 = document.getElementById("details1");
const d2 = document.getElementById("details2");

if ("ariaDetailsElements" in Element.prototype) {
  button.ariaDetailsElements = [d1, d2];
  console.log("count:", button.ariaDetailsElements.length);
  console.log("attr:", button.getAttribute("aria-details")); // null
} else {
  console.log("ariaDetailsElements not supported");
}
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Hold real DOM nodes. No id is required when you set the property (MDN).
  2. Assign an array. The engine copies it — later array edits are ignored.
  3. Re-read the property to confirm the relationship.
  4. Expect a cleared attribute. Setting the property clears aria-details (MDN).

Example 3 — Feature-Detect Before Use

Guard every call site on older browsers.

JavaScript
if ("ariaDetailsElements" in Element.prototype) {
  console.log("ariaDetailsElements is supported");
} else {
  console.log("ariaDetailsElements not supported by browser");
}
Try It Yourself

How It Works

  1. Use the in operator on Element.prototype.
  2. Branch safely. Older engines need an aria-details id fallback.
  3. Detect once at startup if you use the property often.
  4. Remember Baseline 2025. Newest evergreen browsers are fine; older ones are not.
Compatibility

Browser Support

Element.ariaDetailsElements is Baseline Newly available (MDN: across latest browsers since April 2025). Feature-detect on older engines and keep an aria-details id fallback if needed.

✓ Baseline 2025 · Newly available

ariaDetailsElements

Element-reference form of aria-details for verbose accessible details.

2025 Newly available
Google Chrome All versions · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Mozilla Firefox All versions · Desktop & Mobile
Full support
Apple Safari All versions · macOS & iOS
Full support
Microsoft Edge All versions · Chromium & Legacy
Full support
Internet Explorer IE 6+ · Legacy environments
Full support
Opera All modern versions
Full support
ariaDetailsElements Latest browsers

Bottom line: Prefer the property when supported. Otherwise use aria-details ids. Setting the property clears the attribute.

Frequently Asked Questions

An array of HTMLElement subclasses that provide accessible details for the element. You can join their text with spaces to form a details string (MDN).
No. MDN marks Element.ariaDetailsElements as Baseline 2025 Newly available (since April 2025). It is not Deprecated, Experimental, or Non-standard. Feature-detect on older browsers.
The attribute uses space-separated id strings. The property uses Element references. Assigned elements do not need an id. Setting the property clears the corresponding attribute (MDN).
Accessible details are similar to an accessible description (ariaDescribedByElements) but provide more verbose information. MDN notes aria-details does not replace the accessible description.
No. When read, the returned array is static and read-only. When written, the assigned array is copied — later changes to that array do not update the property (MDN).
Yes. Custom elements can use ElementInternals.ariaDetailsElements for the same relationship from inside a component (MDN).

Next: ariaDisabled

Learn the Element property that reflects the aria-disabled state.

ariaDisabled tutorial →

About the author

Mari Selvan M P
Mari Selvan M P 🔗

Developer, cloud engineer, and technical writer

  • Experience 12 years building web and cloud systems
  • Focus Full Stack Development, AWS, and Developer Education

I write practical tutorials so students and working developers can learn by doing—from databases and APIs to deployment on AWS.

AWS Certified Developer – Associate (Credly)

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