HTML · Lesson 2 of 9

Elements, tags & attributes

Opening and closing tags, nesting and attributes.

An element is usually an opening tag, some content and a closing tag: Text. Some elements are empty and have no closing tag, like   and <img>.

Attributes

Attributes add extra information inside the opening tag, written as name="value". Common ones: id, class, href, src, alt, title.

Nesting

Elements can contain other elements. Close them in the reverse order you opened them: Hi.

Try it yourself

Code editor

Edit the code and press Run (or Ctrl/⌘ + Enter). Code runs only in your browser, in a sandbox.

Key points

Most elements need a closing tag.
Attributes live in the opening tag.
Close nested tags in reverse order.

Quick check

Where do attributes go?

In the closing tag In the opening tag Between the tags In the <head> only

Practice task

Write a paragraph that uses , and a line break, and give it a title attribute.

Interview corner

What is a void (empty) element?

An element that cannot have content or a closing tag, such as , <img>, <input> and <meta>.

Difference between id and class?

An id must be unique on the page and identifies one element; a class can be shared by many elements and is used for styling groups.