Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) is the standard markup language that is downloaded from a web server to a web browser and is used to display website and web application content.

HTML5 logo.

HTML resources

  • Mozilla's HTML page and introduction to HTML break down HTML by elements, metadata and forms before diving into more advanced web development topics.

  • A few HTML tips is written for beginners who are learning HTML. The article gives guidance on common mistakes to avoid and what to do instead to write proper HTML.

  • CodeAcademy's HTML basics course provides an interactive environment for learning the gist of the markup language.

  • A list of everything that could go in the head of your document provides a comprehensive reference for elements that are required or optional in the <head> element of your webpage.

  • (Why) Some HTML is "optional" gives historical context for the <p> paragraph element as an example to explain how HTML was originally designed. The backwards-compatibility remains because there is not enough optimization juice to squeeze from changing the implementation compared to the backwards-breaking changes in rendering existing sites.

  • A Complete Guide to Links and Buttons extensively covers what might be thought of as a simple topic: the a and button elements in HTML, along with their many attributes and quirks.

  • HTML: the inaccessible parts explains how even basic HTML elements can cause accessibility issues for screen readers and other devices that help people with impairments to use the web.

What's next to learn after HTML?

How do I improve an app's user interface?

How should I host and serve static content files?

How do I use JavaScript with my Python web application?


Matt Makai 2012-2022