HTML Essentials
HTML Tags
Understand how tag names identify different kinds of content.
An HTML tag is the marker that tells a browser which element you are creating. A meaningful tag makes the role of its content clear.
Choosing a tag
Choose h1 for the main topic, p for prose, a for a link, and button for an action.
Important definitions
- Tag name
- The word immediately after the opening angle bracket.
- Start tag
- The marker that begins most elements.
- End tag
- The matching marker that begins with a slash.
Syntax
Use this general pattern as a reference:
HTML
<tagname>content</tagname>Examples
HTML Tags worked example
EXAMPLE 1
<article>
<h2>Update</h2>
<p>The lesson is ready.</p>
</article>ResultAn Update article containing a heading and paragraph.
COMPLETE EXAMPLE
<article>
<h2>Update</h2>
<p>The lesson is ready.</p>
</article>Expected output
An Update article containing a heading and paragraph.
Note
Tags are not case-sensitive in HTML, but lowercase is the common convention.
Tip
Choose tags by meaning rather than their default appearance.
Common mistakes
- Inventing tag names without creating web components.
- Using one tag for every kind of content.
- Mismatching opening and closing tag names.