Scribd
Upload
5 views

Semantic HTML

Uploaded by

captainricardus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views

Semantic HTML

Uploaded by

captainricardus
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 11

HTML Semantic Elements

❮ PreviousNext ❯

Semantic elements = elements with a meaning.

What are Semantic Elements?


A semantic element clearly describes its meaning to both the browser and the
developer.

Examples of non-semantic elements: <div> and <span> - Tells nothing about its
content.

Examples of semantic elements: <form>, <table>, and <article> - Clearly defines


its content.

Semantic Elements in HTML


Many web sites contain HTML code like: <div id="nav"> <div class="header">
<div id="footer"> to indicate navigation, header, and footer.

In HTML there are some semantic elements that can be used to define different
parts of a web page:

 <article>
 <aside>
 <details>
 <figcaption>
 <figure>
 <footer>
 <header>
 <main>
 <mark>
 <nav>
 <section>
 <summary>
 <time>

HTML <section> Element


The <section> element defines a section in a document.

According to W3C's HTML documentation: "A section is a thematic grouping of


content, typically with a heading."

Examples of where a <section> element can be used:

 Chapters
 Introduction
 News items
 Contact information

A web page could normally be split into sections for introduction, content, and
contact information.

Example
Two sections in a document:

<section>
<h1>WWF</h1>
<p>The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international
organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research
and restoration of the environment, formerly named the World
Wildlife Fund. WWF was founded in 1961.</p>
</section>

<section>
<h1>WWF's Panda symbol</h1>
<p>The Panda has become the symbol of WWF. The well-known panda
logo of WWF originated from a panda named Chi Chi that was
transferred from the Beijing Zoo to the London Zoo in the same year
of the establishment of WWF.</p>
</section>
Try it Yourself »

ADVERTISEMENT

HTML <article> Element


The <article> element specifies independent, self-contained content.

An article should make sense on its own, and it should be possible to distribute
it independently from the rest of the web site.

Examples of where the <article> element can be used:

 Forum posts
 Blog posts
 User comments
 Product cards
 Newspaper articles

Example
Three articles with independent, self-contained content:

<article>
<h2>Google Chrome</h2>
<p>Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google, released in
2008. Chrome is the world's most popular web browser today!</p>
</article>
<article>
<h2>Mozilla Firefox</h2>
<p>Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by
Mozilla. Firefox has been the second most popular web browser since
January, 2018.</p>
</article>

<article>
<h2>Microsoft Edge</h2>
<p>Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft, released
in 2015. Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer.</p>
</article>
Try it Yourself »

Example 2
Use CSS to style the <article> element:

<html>
<head>
<style>
.all-browsers {
margin: 0;
padding: 5px;
background-color: lightgray;
}

.all-browsers > h1, .browser {


margin: 10px;
padding: 5px;
}

.browser {
background: white;
}

.browser > h2, p {


margin: 4px;
font-size: 90%;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>

<article class="all-browsers">
<h1>Most Popular Browsers</h1>
<article class="browser">
<h2>Google Chrome</h2>
<p>Google Chrome is a web browser developed by Google, released
in 2008. Chrome is the world's most popular web browser today!</p>
</article>
<article class="browser">
<h2>Mozilla Firefox</h2>
<p>Mozilla Firefox is an open-source web browser developed by
Mozilla. Firefox has been the second most popular web browser since
January, 2018.</p>
</article>
<article class="browser">
<h2>Microsoft Edge</h2>
<p>Microsoft Edge is a web browser developed by Microsoft,
released in 2015. Microsoft Edge replaced Internet Explorer.</p>
</article>
</article>

</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself »

Nesting <article> in <section> or


Vice Versa?
The <article> element specifies independent, self-contained content.

The <section> element defines section in a document.

Can we use the definitions to decide how to nest those elements? No, we
cannot!

So, you will find HTML pages with <section> elements


containing <article> elements, and <article> elements
containing <section> elements.

HTML <header> Element


The <header> element represents a container for introductory content or a set of
navigational links.
A <header> element typically contains:

 one or more heading elements (<h1> - <h6>)


 logo or icon
 authorship information

Note: You can have several <header> elements in one HTML document.
However, <header> cannot be placed within a <footer>, <address> or
another <header> element.

Example
A header for an <article>:

<article>
<header>
<h1>What Does WWF Do?</h1>
<p>WWF's mission:</p>
</header>
<p>WWF's mission is to stop the degradation of our planet's
natural environment,
and build a future in which humans live in harmony with
nature.</p>
</article>
Try it Yourself »

HTML <footer> Element


The <footer> element defines a footer for a document or section.

A <footer> element typically contains:

 authorship information
 copyright information
 contact information
 sitemap
 back to top links
 related documents

You can have several <footer> elements in one document.

Example
A footer section in a document:

<footer>
<p>Author: Hege Refsnes</p>
<p><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></p>
</footer>
Try it Yourself »

HTML <nav> Element


The <nav> element defines a set of navigation links.

Notice that NOT all links of a document should be inside a <nav> element.
The <nav> element is intended only for major blocks of navigation links.

Browsers, such as screen readers for disabled users, can use this element to
determine whether to omit the initial rendering of this content.

Example
A set of navigation links:

<nav>
<a href="/html/">HTML</a> |
<a href="/css/">CSS</a> |
<a href="/js/">JavaScript</a> |
<a href="/jquery/">jQuery</a>
</nav>
Try it Yourself »

HTML <aside> Element


The <aside> element defines some content aside from the content it is placed in
(like a sidebar).

The <aside> content should be indirectly related to the surrounding content.

Example
Display some content aside from the content it is placed in:
<p>My family and I visited The Epcot center this summer. The
weather was nice, and Epcot was amazing! I had a great summer
together with my family!</p>

<aside>
<h4>Epcot Center</h4>
<p>Epcot is a theme park at Walt Disney World Resort featuring
exciting attractions, international pavilions, award-winning
fireworks and seasonal special events.</p>
</aside>
Try it Yourself »

Example 2
Use CSS to style the <aside> element:

<html>
<head>
<style>
aside {
width: 30%;
padding-left: 15px;
margin-left: 15px;
float: right;
font-style: italic;
background-color: lightgray;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>

<p>My family and I visited The Epcot center this summer. The
weather was nice, and Epcot was amazing! I had a great summer
together with my family!</p>

<aside>
<p>The Epcot center is a theme park at Walt Disney World Resort
featuring exciting attractions, international pavilions, award-
winning fireworks and seasonal special events.</p>
</aside>

<p>My family and I visited The Epcot center this summer. The
weather was nice, and Epcot was amazing! I had a great summer
together with my family!</p>
<p>My family and I visited The Epcot center this summer. The
weather was nice, and Epcot was amazing! I had a great summer
together with my family!</p>
</body>
</html>
Try it Yourself »

HTML <figure> and <figcaption>


Elements
The <figure> tag specifies self-contained content, like illustrations, diagrams,
photos, code listings, etc.

The <figcaption> tag defines a caption for a <figure> element.


The <figcaption> element can be placed as the first or as the last child of
a <figure> element.

The <img> element defines the actual image/illustration.

Example
<figure>
<img src="pic_trulli.jpg" alt="Trulli">
<figcaption>Fig1. - Trulli, Puglia, Italy.</figcaption>
</figure>
Try it Yourself »

Why Semantic Elements?


According to the W3C: "A semantic Web allows data to be shared and reused
across applications, enterprises, and communities."

Semantic Elements in HTML


Below is a list of some of the semantic elements in HTML.
Tag Description

<article> Defines independent, self-contained content

<aside> Defines content aside from the page content

<details> Defines additional details that the user can view or hide

<figcaption> Defines a caption for a <figure> element

<figure> Specifies self-contained content, like illustrations, diagrams, photos, cod


listings, etc.

<footer> Defines a footer for a document or section

<header> Specifies a header for a document or section

<main> Specifies the main content of a document

<mark> Defines marked/highlighted text

<nav> Defines navigation links


<section> Defines a section in a document

<summary> Defines a visible heading for a <details> element

<time> Defines a date/time

For a complete list of all available HTML tags, visit our HTML Tag Reference.

Exercise?
Which one of the following is NOT an HTML element?

<header>

<footer>

<content>

<main>

You might also like