What is the default alignment of text in a paragraph element?

The default alignment of text in a paragraph element is indeed left-aligned. This means that when you create a paragraph using the <p> tag in HTML, the text will begin at the left edge of the container it is in, flowing to the right. This is the standard behavior in most web browsers and is consistent with traditional text layout practices in Western cultures, where reading starts from the left.

While other alignment options like center, right, or justified can be applied using CSS, they do not reflect the default behavior. By default, paragraphs (and most block-level elements) will adopt the left-aligned style unless specified otherwise, which is important for maintaining readability and accessibility across different devices and screen sizes.