HTML tags are the backbone of web development, defining the structure and functionality of a webpage. They are special instructions enclosed within angle brackets (< >) that tell the browser how to display and process content. Tags usually come in pairs, with an opening tag (e.g., <p>) and a closing tag (e.g., </p>), enclosing the content they affect. However, some tags, such as <img> and <br>, are self-closing and do not require a closing counterpart.
HTML tags are categorized based on their purpose. Structural tags like <html>, <head>, and <body> define the layout of a document, while text formatting tags such as <b> for bold and <i> for italics are used to style content. Links and media tags, like <a> for hyperlinks and <img> for images, enable interactivity and multimedia integration. To enhance organization, list tags like <ul> and <ol> create ordered and unordered lists, and table tags like <table> and <tr> arrange data into rows and columns.
Modern HTML also includes semantic tags such as <header>, <footer>, <article>, and <section>, which improve accessibility and search engine optimization (SEO) by giving meaning to different parts of a webpage. Additionally, form-related tags like <form>, <input>, and <button> facilitate user input and interaction.
Using HTML tags effectively requires understanding their specific functions and adhering to best practices. Proper use of tags ensures that web pages are not only visually appealing but also accessible, well-structured, and compatible across browsers. As HTML evolves, newer tags and attributes are introduced, offering enhanced capabilities for creating dynamic and responsive websites.
What Are HTML Tags?
HTML tags are special keywords enclosed in angle brackets (< >). They usually come in pairs:
- Opening tag:
<tag> - Closing tag:
</tag>
The content between these tags is what the browser processes and displays. Some tags, like <img> and <br>, are self-closing and don’t require a closing tag.
Common HTML Tags and Their Uses
1. Document Structure Tags
These tags define the structure of an HTML document.
<html>: The root element of an HTML document.<head>: Contains metadata like title, styles, and scripts.<body>: Contains the visible content of the webpage.
Example:
2. Heading Tags
HTML provides six levels of headings, from <h1> to <h6>.
<h1>: Largest and most important heading.<h6>: Smallest heading.
Example:
3. Text Formatting Tags
Used to style and structure text content.
<p>: Paragraph.<b>: Bold text.<i>: Italic text.<u>: Underlined text.<br>: Line break.
Example:
4. Link and Media Tags
These tags embed links, images, and videos.
<a>: Hyperlink.<img>: Image.<video>: Video.<audio>: Audio.
Example:
5. List Tags
HTML supports ordered and unordered lists.
<ul>: Unordered list (bullets).<ol>: Ordered list (numbers).<li>: List item.
Example:
6. Table Tags
Tables are structured using rows and columns.
<table>: Defines the table.<tr>: Table row.<td>: Table data.<th>: Table header.
Example:
7. Form Tags
Forms collect user input.
<form>: Form container.<input>: Input field.<textarea>: Text area.<button>: Button.
Example:
8. Semantic Tags
Semantic tags enhance accessibility and SEO.
<header>: Defines the page header.<footer>: Defines the page footer.<article>: Represents an article.<section>: Groups related content.