HTML Semantic Elements
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."
A home page could normally be split into sections for introduction, content, and contact information.
Example
<section>
<h1>WWF</h1>
<p>The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is....</p>
</section>
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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 read it independently from the rest of the web site.
Examples of where an <article> element can be used:
- Forum post
- Blog post
- Newspaper article
Example
<article>
<h1>What Does WWF Do?</h1>
<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>
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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, on the Internet, you will find HTML pages with <section> elements
containing <article> elements, and <article> elements containing <section> elements.
You will also find pages with <section> elements containing <section>
elements, and <article> elements containing <article> elements.
Example for a newspaper: The sport <article> in the sport section,
may have a technical section in each <article>.
HTML <header> Element
The <header> element specifies a header for a document or section.
The <header> element should be used as a container for introductory content.
You can have several <header> elements in one document.
The following example defines a header for an article:
Example
<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 specifies a footer for a document or section.
A <footer> element should contain information about its containing element.
A footer typically contains the author of the document, copyright information, links to terms of use, contact information, etc.
You may have several <footer> elements in one document.
Example
<footer>
<p>Posted by: Hege Refsnes</p>
<p>Contact information: <a href="mailto:[email protected]">
[email protected]</a>.</p>
</footer>
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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 block of navigation links.
Example
<nav>
<a href="/html/">HTML</a> |
<a href="/css/">CSS</a> |
<a href="/js/">JavaScript</a> |
<a href="/jquery/">jQuery</a>
</nav>
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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 related to the surrounding content.
Example
<p>My family and I visited The Epcot center this summer.</p>
<aside>
<h4>Epcot Center</h4>
<p>The Epcot Center is a theme park in Disney World, Florida.</p>
</aside>
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HTML <figure> and <figcaption> Elements
An image and a caption can be grouped together in a <figure>
element.
The purpose of a caption is to add a visual explanation to an image.
Example
<figure>
<img src="pic_trulli.jpg" alt="Trulli">
<figcaption>Fig1. - Trulli, Puglia, Italy.</figcaption>
</figure>
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The <img> element defines the image, the <figcaption>
element defines the caption.
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 an alphabetical list of some of the semantic elements in HTML.
The links go to our complete HTML Reference.
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| <article> | Defines an article |
| <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, code 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 |
