HTML Reference
HTML Element Reference
Every HTML element explained with syntax, attributes, examples, and accessibility notes.
Last updated: October 2026
What this is: A complete, alphabetical reference of every HTML element. Each page covers the syntax, every attribute, live examples, common mistakes, and accessibility notes. Bookmark this page — you'll return to it often.
📚 All HTML Reference Pages
<a> — Anchor
The hyperlink element. href, target, rel, download, and every attribute.
<div> — Container
The generic block container. When to use it, when not to, and how it compares to semantic elements.
<span> — Inline Container
The inline equivalent of div. Style a word or phrase without breaking the line.
<p> — Paragraph
The element that carries the written web. Body text, articles, and descriptions.
<img> — Images
Embed images with src, alt, srcset, and lazy loading.
<h1>–<h6> — Headings
The six levels that define content hierarchy. Critical for SEO and a11y.
<form> — Forms
The container for interactive controls. GET vs POST, file uploads, accessibility.
<button> — Button
The accessible element for any clickable action. Types, states, and patterns.
<ul> & <ol> — Lists
Unordered, ordered, and description lists. Nesting, styling, and accessibility.
<input> — Input
Every input type: text, email, number, date, file, checkbox, radio.
<table> — Table
Tabular data with thead, tbody, tfoot, colspan, and rowspan.
<section> & <article> — Semantic
Self-contained content vs thematic groups. The right way to replace div soup.
<video> & <audio> — Media
Native media playback. Controls, autoplay, poster, captions, and multiple sources.
<meta> — Metadata
Charset, viewport, description, Open Graph, and Twitter cards. Every tag for SEO and social.
<link> — External Resources
Stylesheets, favicons, canonical, preload, preconnect, and every rel value.
<aside> & <nav> — Sidebar & Navigation
Complementary content and navigation landmarks. The right way to structure site navigation.
How to Use This Reference
Each element page follows the same structure:
- Definition — what the element does in one sentence.
- Live example — the element in action with real output.
- Attributes table — every attribute with values and purpose.
- Code examples — copy-paste ready patterns for common use cases.
- Common mistakes — the errors that cost developers time.
- Accessibility notes — how to make the element work for everyone.
- FAQ — the questions people ask most.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HTML reference?
The HTML reference is a complete, alphabetical guide to every HTML element. Each page explains the element's purpose, every attribute, code examples, common mistakes, and accessibility notes.
Which HTML elements are covered first?
We start with the most-used elements: <a>, <div>, <span>, <p>, <img>, <h1>–<h6>, <form>, <input>, <button>, and more. Pages are added in order of search volume and developer need.
Do the examples work without JavaScript?
Yes. Every example uses modern HTML5 features that work in all browsers without JavaScript libraries. Where JavaScript is needed (like <dialog>), it's minimal and included inline.
Is this reference good for beginners?
Yes. Each page starts with a plain-English definition and a live example, then goes deeper into attributes and advanced usage. Beginners can skim; professionals can dive.