Introduction – What is HTML?
HTML stands for HyperText Markup Language, the standard language for creating and structuring content on the web. It tells web browsers how to display text, images, links, tables, forms, and other elements of a website.
Unlike programming languages, HTML does not perform calculations or logic. Instead, it provides a structured blueprint for web pages. Every web page on the internet—from simple personal pages to large e-commerce platforms—uses HTML as its foundation.
This page is designed for beginners and aspiring web developers who want to learn HTML step-by-step, with examples, best practices, and hands-on exercises.
History of HTML
| Year | Version |
|---|---|
| 1989 | Tim Berners-Lee invented www |
| 1991 | Tim Berners-Lee invented HTML |
| 1993 | Dave Raggett drafted HTML+ |
| 1995 | HTML Working Group defined HTML 2.0 |
| 1997 | W3C Recommendation: HTML 3.2 |
| 1999 | W3C Recommendation: HTML 4.01 |
| 2000 | W3C Recommendation: XHTML 1.0 |
| 2008 | WHATWG HTML5 First Public Draft |
| 2012 | WHATWG HTML5 Living Standard |
| 2014 | W3C Recommendation: HTML5 |
| 2016 | W3C Candidate Recommendation: HTML 5.1 |
| 2017 | W3C Recommendation: HTML5.1 2nd Edition |
| 2017 | W3C Recommendation: HTML5.2 |
Uses of HTML
HTML is everywhere on the web. Some common uses include:
- Web Page Structure – Provides the skeleton of any website.
- Embedding Media – Add images, videos, and audio.
- Navigation – Create links and menus for browsing.
- Forms & Input – Collect user data (e.g., login, signup, feedback forms).
- Integration – Works with CSS (for styling) and JavaScript (for functionality).
In short, without HTML, websites cannot exist.
How to Start Learning HTML
Learning HTML is simple because it is beginner-friendly. Here’s how you can start:
- Install a Code Editor – Use free tools like VS Code, Sublime Text, or Notepad++.
- Learn Basic Tags –
<html>,<head>,<body>,<h1>to<h6>,<p>,<a>,<img>. - Practice – Write small codes and open them in a browser.
- Use Online Resources – Websites like W3Schools, MDN Web Docs, and free tutorials.
- Build Mini Projects – Start with a personal homepage or a portfolio.
Before Learning HTML
Before diving into HTML, you should understand a few basics:
- What is the Internet and Web? – HTML runs on browsers which are part of the World Wide Web.
- Difference Between HTML, CSS, and JavaScript –
- HTML = Structure
- CSS = Styling
- JavaScript = Functionality
- File Basics – Saving files with
.htmlextension and opening them in a browser.
Having this foundation will make learning HTML much easier.
Example of HTML Page
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<title>Page Title</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>My First Heading</h1>
<p>My first paragraph.</p>
</body>
</html>
Example Explained
- The
<!DOCTYPE html>declaration defines that this document is an HTML5 document - The
<html>element is the root element of an HTML page - The
<head>element contains meta information about the HTML page - The
<title>element specifies a title for the HTML page (which is shown in the browser’s title bar or in the page’s tab) - The
<body>element defines the document’s body, and is a container for all the visible contents, such as headings, paragraphs, images, hyperlinks, tables, lists, etc. - The
<h1>element defines a large heading - The
<p>element defines a paragraph
What is an HTML Element?
An HTML element is defined by a start tag, some content, and an end tag:
<tagname> Content goes here… </tagname>
The HTML element is everything from the start tag to the end tag:
<h1>My First Heading</h1>
<p>My first paragraph.</p>
| Start tag | Element content | End tag |
|---|---|---|
| <h1> | My First Heading | </h1> |
| <p> | My first paragraph. | </p> |
| <br> | none | none |
Empty Elements : Some HTML elements have no content (like the <br> element). These elements are called empty elements. Empty elements do not have an end tag!
HTML Page Structure
