Complete HTML/xHTML Tag Reference
A comprehensive guide to all HTML and xHTML tags, with instructions on:
- where and how to use HTML tags appropriately
- which tags are current, and which have better modern alternatives
- tips & tricks for writing better markup and accessibility
HTML/xHTML tags grouped by: Family / Importance / A-Z alphabetical list
HTML Tags that Absolutely Everybody should know
- document head <head>
- metadata <meta>
- document body <body>
- page title <title>
- division <div>
- inline span <span>
- Heading tags <h1>, <h2>, <h3>, <h4>, <h5>, <h6>,
- paragraph <p>
- <br />
- unordered list <ul>
- ordered list <ol>
- list item <li>
- <table>
- <tr>
- <td>
- <form>
- selection list dropdown <select>
- selection list option <option>
- <button>
- form input <input>
- <textarea>
- anchor <a>
- emphasis <em>
- strong emphasis <strong>
- image <img>
- <style>
- <script>
Useful and Important HTML Tags
HTML tags that every web designer, producer or developer should be familiar with, especially if you want to follow best practice in usability, standards compliance, SEO and accessibility.- head link <link>
- <frameset>
- <frame>
- inline frame <iframe>
- definition list <dl>
- definition term <dt>
- definition definition <dd>
- <thead>
- <th>
- <tbody>
- <tfoot>
- <col>
- column group <colgroup>
- <caption>
- <label>
- horizontal rule <hr>
- inline quotation <q>
- block quotation <blockquote>
- citation <cite>
- definition <dfn>
- abbreviation <abbr>
- acronym <acronym>
- definition <dfn>
- <object>
- object/applet parameter<param>
- deleted text <del>
- inserted text <ins>
- <fieldset>
- fieldset legend <legend>
- option group <optgroup>
Minor importance
Valid tags that are still relevant and occasionally useful. For the geeks.
- base reference <base>
- preformatted text <pre>
- <code>
- teletype <tt>
- subscript <sub>
- superscript <sup>
- client-side image map <map>
- image map area <area>
- <noscript>
Avoid these tags!
These nasties are out of common use, either because they've been replaced by a newer alternative, or because they represent inline styling (which is a no-no).
Some (such as the blink tag) carry the death penalty in several states.
Buy sections of this site as downloadable PDF ebooks now
- Recommended
- NEW ebook "Save the Pixel - the Art of Simple Web Design"
- Read offline as PDF ebooks
- Adwords consultant
- vBulletin Skins
- Compare web hosts - speed, uptime, support etc...
- Professional Web Hosting $4.95
- Quality Ruby on Rails hosting - UK, recommended
- Custom logo design services
- Promote your Sheffield business FREE
- Buy Modern European Furniture
- Support this site
