Components

Table

Use the table component to make information easier to compare and scan for users.

HTML
Nunjucks

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Dates and amounts</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Date</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Amount</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">First 6 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 33 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Total estimated pay</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£4,282.20</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Dates and amounts",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Date"
    },
    {
      text: "Amount"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "First 6 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 33 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Total estimated pay"
      },
      {
        text: "£4,282.20"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

When to use this component

Use the table component to let users compare information in rows and columns.

When not to use this component

Never use the table component to layout content on a page. Instead, use the grid system.

How it works

Table captions

Use the <caption> element to describe a table in the same way you would use a heading. A caption helps users find, navigate and understand tables.

There are other styling options for table captions. You can use govuk-table__caption--s, govuk-table__caption--m, govuk-table__caption--l and govuk-table__caption--xl classes to make them larger or smaller from the default.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--l">Months and rates</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Month you apply</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Rate for vehicles</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">January</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£95</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">February</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£55</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">March</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£125</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Months and rates",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--l",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Month you apply"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for vehicles"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "January"
      },
      {
        text: "£95"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "February"
      },
      {
        text: "£55"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "March"
      },
      {
        text: "£125"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

Table headers

Use table headers to tell users what the rows and columns represent. Use the scope attribute to help users of assistive technology distinguish between row and column headers.

There are 2 ways to use the table component. You can use HTML or, if you are using Nunjucks or the GOV.UK Prototype Kit, you can use the Nunjucks macro.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Dates and amounts</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Date</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Amount</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">First 6 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 33 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Total estimated pay</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£4,282.20</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Dates and amounts",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Date"
    },
    {
      text: "Amount"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "First 6 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 33 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Total estimated pay"
      },
      {
        text: "£4,282.20"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

Numbers in a table

When comparing columns of numbers, align the numbers to the right in table cells.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Months and rates</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Month you apply</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header govuk-table__header--numeric">Rate for bicycles</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header govuk-table__header--numeric">Rate for vehicles</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">January</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£85</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£95</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">February</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£75</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£55</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">March</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£165</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell govuk-table__cell--numeric">£125</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Months and rates",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Month you apply"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for bicycles",
      format: "numeric"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for vehicles",
      format: "numeric"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "January"
      },
      {
        text: "£85",
        format: "numeric"
      },
      {
        text: "£95",
        format: "numeric"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "February"
      },
      {
        text: "£75",
        format: "numeric"
      },
      {
        text: "£55",
        format: "numeric"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "March"
      },
      {
        text: "£165",
        format: "numeric"
      },
      {
        text: "£125",
        format: "numeric"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

Custom column widths

You can use the width override classes to set the width of table columns.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Month you apply</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header govuk-!-width-one-half">Date</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header govuk-!-width-one-quarter">Rate for vehicles</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header govuk-!-width-one-quarter">Rate for bicycles</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">First 6 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£59.10 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 33 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£159.80 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£89.10 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Total estimated pay</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£4,282.20</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£2,182.20</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Month you apply",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Date",
      classes: "govuk-!-width-one-half"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for vehicles",
      classes: "govuk-!-width-one-quarter"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for bicycles",
      classes: "govuk-!-width-one-quarter"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "First 6 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£59.10 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 33 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£159.80 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£89.10 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Total estimated pay"
      },
      {
        text: "£4,282.20"
      },
      {
        text: "£2,182.20"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

If the width override classes do not meet your needs you can create your own width classes and apply them to the cells in the table head. These can be added using the classes option in the Nunjucks macro or adding the class directly to the individual cells within govuk-table__head as below.

To learn more about this, read guidance on extending and modifying components in production.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Month you apply</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header app-custom-class">Date</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header app-custom-class">Rate for vehicles</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header app-custom-class">Rate for bicycles</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">First 6 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£109.80 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£59.10 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 33 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£159.80 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£89.10 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Total estimated pay</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£4,282.20</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£2,182.20</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Month you apply",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  head: [
    {
      text: "Date",
      classes: "app-custom-class"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for vehicles",
      classes: "app-custom-class"
    },
    {
      text: "Rate for bicycles",
      classes: "app-custom-class"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "First 6 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£109.80 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£59.10 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 33 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£159.80 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£89.10 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Total estimated pay"
      },
      {
        text: "£4,282.20"
      },
      {
        text: "£2,182.20"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

Tables with a lot of data

If possible, you should aim to have less data in your tables. If you have a lot of data, try to organise it into multiple tables or multiple pages.

If you cannot split your data, you can use the CSS class govuk-table--small-text-until-tablet. This class reduces the size of the text on small screens so large amounts of data has more empty space around it. This makes it easier to visually differentiate between each piece of data when read on small screens.

The CSS class govuk-table--small-text-until-tablet is only available in version 5.2 of GOV.UK Frontend and later.

Read about updating your service to use the new type scale.

You should not use this class on tables unless your table has a lot of data, because a smaller amount of data is easier to read if the text is larger.

HTML
Nunjucks

HTML

<table class="govuk-table govuk-table--small-text-until-tablet">
  <caption class="govuk-table__caption govuk-table__caption--m">Dates and amounts</caption>
  <thead class="govuk-table__head">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Date</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">First amount</th>
      <th scope="col" class="govuk-table__header">Second amount</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody class="govuk-table__body">
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">First 3 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£27.45 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£33.90 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 6 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£27.45 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£33.90 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 24 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£27.45 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£33.90 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Next 33 weeks</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£27.45 per week</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£33.90 per week</td>
    </tr>
    <tr class="govuk-table__row">
      <th scope="row" class="govuk-table__header">Total estimated pay</th>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£4,282.20</td>
      <td class="govuk-table__cell">£5,288.40</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

Nunjucks

{% from "govuk/components/table/macro.njk" import govukTable %}

{{ govukTable({
  caption: "Dates and amounts",
  captionClasses: "govuk-table__caption--m",
  firstCellIsHeader: true,
  classes: "govuk-table--small-text-until-tablet",
  head: [
    {
      text: "Date"
    },
    {
      text: "First amount"
    },
    {
      text: "Second amount"
    }
  ],
  rows: [
    [
      {
        text: "First 3 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£27.45 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£33.90 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 6 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£27.45 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£33.90 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 24 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£27.45 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£33.90 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Next 33 weeks"
      },
      {
        text: "£27.45 per week"
      },
      {
        text: "£33.90 per week"
      }
    ],
    [
      {
        text: "Total estimated pay"
      },
      {
        text: "£4,282.20"
      },
      {
        text: "£5,288.40"
      }
    ]
  ]
}) }}

Nunjucks options for this component

Use options to customise the appearance, content and behaviour of a component when using a macro, for example, changing the text.

Some options are required for the macro to work; these are marked as "Required" in the option description.

If you're using Nunjucks macros in production with "html" options, or ones ending with "html", you must sanitise the HTML to protect against cross-site scripting exploits.

Primary options

Name	Type	Description
rows	array	Required. The rows within the table component. See rows.
head	array	Can be used to add a row of table header cells (`<th>`) at the top of the table component. See head.
caption	string	Caption text.
captionClasses	string	Classes for caption text size. Classes should correspond to the available typography heading classes.
firstCellIsHeader	boolean	If set to `true`, the first cell in each row will be a table header (`<th>`).
classes	string	Classes to add to the table container.
attributes	object	HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the table container.

Options for `rows` array objects

Name	Type	Description
text	string	Required. If `html` is set, this is not required. Text for cells in table rows. If `html` is provided, the `text` option will be ignored.
html	string	Required. If `text` is set, this is not required. HTML for cells in table rows. If `html` is provided, the `text` option will be ignored.
format	string	Specify format of a cell. Currently we only use “numeric”.
classes	string	Classes to add to the table row cell.
colspan	integer	Specify how many columns a cell extends.
rowspan	integer	Specify how many rows a cell extends.
attributes	object	HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the table cell.

Options for `head` array objects

Name	Type	Description
text	string	If `html` is set, this is not required. Text for table head cells. If `html` is provided, the `text` option will be ignored.
html	string	If `text` is set, this is not required. HTML for table head cells. If `html` is provided, the `text` option will be ignored.
format	string	Specify format of a cell. Currently we only use “numeric”.
classes	string	Classes to add to the table head cell.
colspan	integer	Specify how many columns a cell extends.
rowspan	integer	Specify how many rows a cell extends.
attributes	object	HTML attributes (for example data attributes) to add to the table cell.

Help improve this component

To help make sure that this page is useful, relevant and up to date, you can:

take part in the ‘Table’ discussion on GitHub and share your research
propose a change – read more about how to propose changes in GitHub

Tell us if your service uses this component

Take part in our usage survey (opens in a new tab) to help us improve this component to better meet the needs of the services that use it.

Need help?

If you’ve got a question about the GOV.UK Design System, contact the team.

Cookies on GOV.UK Design System

Table

When to use this component

When not to use this component

How it works

Table captions

Table headers

Numbers in a table

Custom column widths

Tables with a lot of data

Nunjucks options for this component

Primary options

Options for rows array objects

Options for head array objects

Help improve this component

Tell us if your service uses this component

Need help?

Options for `rows` array objects

Options for `head` array objects