HTML Text Formatting – Give Structure and Emphasis to Your Web Content
Welcome to HQLEduTech! In this section, we’ll explore how to format text using HTML to make your content more readable, meaningful, and accessible.
HTML provides several semantic and visual text formatting tags. These elements help web developers highlight key information, emphasize meaning, and structure content in a way that benefits both users and search engines.
What Is Text Formatting in HTML?
Text formatting in HTML refers to the use of special tags that change the appearance or meaning of selected portions of content. These tags can:
- Make text bold or italic
- Emphasize key points or important content
- Represent changes in content (inserted or deleted text)
- Format scientific expressions such as subscript or superscript
- Create visually distinct elements like footnotes or highlights
Most importantly, many of these tags carry semantic meaning, which enhances accessibility for screen readers and improves SEO performance.
Basic HTML Formatting Tags
<b> – Bold Text
Used for stylistic bolding without implying any importance or priority.
<p>This is a <b>bold</b> example.</p>
<strong> – Important Text
Used to emphasize important content. Carries semantic importance in addition to visual boldness.
<p>This is <strong>critical information</strong>.</p>
<i> – Italic Text
Displays content in italic style for stylistic or alternate voice purposes such as citations, foreign words, or thoughts.
<p><i>Note:</i> The values are approximate.</p>
<em> – Emphasized Text
Indicates emphasis and is often read with verbal stress by screen readers. Also renders as italicized text.
<p><em>Always</em> back up your data.</p>
Additional Formatting Tags for Enhanced Presentation
<small> – Smaller Text
Displays text in a smaller font size. Commonly used for fine print or disclaimers.
<p>This offer is valid for a <small>limited time only</small>.</p>
<mark> – Highlighted Text
Used to visually highlight text. Ideal for drawing attention to important information.
<p>Please remember to review the <mark>submission deadline</mark>.</p>
<del> – Deleted Text
Represents removed content, often shown with a strikethrough. Useful for showing revisions or price changes.
<p>Original price: <del>$200</del> Now: $150</p>
<ins> – Inserted Text
Denotes newly added content and is typically displayed with an underline.
<p><ins>New course materials</ins> are available for download.</p>
Scientific and Technical Formatting Tags
<sub> – Subscript Text
Displays text slightly below the baseline. Often used in scientific contexts like chemical formulas.
<p>The formula for water is H<sub>2</sub>O.</p>
<sup> – Superscript Text
Displays text slightly above the baseline. Useful for mathematical notations, trademarks, and footnotes.
<p>E = mc<sup>2</sup></p>
<p>HQLEduTech<sup>™</sup></p>
Best Practices from HQLEduTech
- Use semantic tags like
<strong>and<em>for better SEO and accessibility support. - Avoid using formatting tags solely for styling. Use CSS for design, and HTML tags for structure and meaning.
- Keep formatting meaningful. Overuse of bold, italics, or highlights can reduce readability.
- Maintain consistency in formatting across your website or application.
Summary: HTML Formatting Tags at a Glance
| Tag | Purpose | Semantic Meaning |
|---|---|---|
<b> | Bold text (visual only) | No |
<strong> | Important text (bold + semantic) | Yes |
<i> | Italic text (visual only) | No |
<em> | Emphasized text (italic + semantic) | Yes |
<small> | Smaller text | No |
<mark> | Highlighted text | Yes (attention) |
<del> | Deleted content (strikethrough) | Yes |
<ins> | Inserted content (underlined) | Yes |
<sub> | Subscript (scientific notation) | No |
<sup> | Superscript (math, TM, footnotes) | No |
By mastering these tags, you’ll be able to write content that’s not only visually engaging but also semantically meaningful—making your pages more professional, accessible, and search-friendly.
Start applying these tags in your HTML documents and see the difference in clarity and impact!