Difference between HTML tags and elements
Summary
This article helps you understand the difference between HTML tags, elements, and tag names. Gaining this clarity will enable you to communicate more precisely and confidently about HTML structure, syntax, and meaning when collaborating with others.
Introduction #
If you are new to Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), you might find yourself confused by the terms tag and element. These two concepts are often used interchangeably, but they are not exactly the same.
This article will guide you through the distinction between HTML tags and HTML elements, with practical examples and explanations to reinforce your understanding.
What is an HTML tag name? #
The tag name is the word that appears directly after the opening angle bracket in an HTML tag. It identifies what kind of element the browser should render or interpret. For example, in the opening tag <p>, the tag name is p, which stands for paragraph.
What is an HTML tag? #
An HTML tag is a piece of code that tells the browser how to interpret the content it surrounds. Tags are written inside angle brackets, and usually come in pairs: an opening tag and a closing tag.
For example:
<p></p>
This is a complete tag. It includes:
- The opening tag
<p> - The closing tag
</p>
Tags do not include the actual content. They only describe how the browser should treat the content.
Some tags do not require a closing counterpart. These are called void elements.
What is an HTML element? #
An HTML element refers to the complete structure that includes the opening tag, the content, and the closing tag. It is the entire building block of an HTML document.
For example:
<h1>Hello World</h1>
This is a complete element. It includes:
- The opening tag
<h1> - The content
Hello World - The closing tag
</h1>
In simple terms, the element wraps everything together. If the tag is a label, the element is the full package including the label and its contents.
FAQ's #
Most common questions and brief, easy-to-understand answers on the topic:
What is an HTML tag?
An HTML tag is a code snippet enclosed in angle brackets like <p>, used to define how content should be displayed in a web browser.
What is an HTML element?
An HTML element includes the opening tag, the content inside, and the closing tag. For example: <p>This is a paragraph.</p>.
Are HTML tags and elements the same?
No, they are different. A tag is just the part like <p>, while an element includes both tags and any content inside.
Can an HTML element have no content?
Yes, some HTML elements, so called void elements, do not contain content, such as <br> or <img>.
What is an HTML tag name?
A tag name is the word used inside HTML tags to define the type of element, such as p for paragraphs or h1 for top-level headings.
Do HTML tag names have to be lowercase?
While HTML tag names are not case-sensitive, it is recommended to write them in lowercase to follow best practices and ensure consistency.
Further readings #
Sources and recommended, further resources on the topic:
Author
Jonas Jared Jacek (J15k)
Jonas works as project manager, web designer, and web developer since 2001. On top of that, he is a Linux system administrator with a broad interest in things related to programming, architecture, and design. See: https://www.j15k.com/License
Difference between HTML tags and elements by Jonas Jared Jacek is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
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