HTML Formatting Elements

In the previous chapter, you learned about the HTML style attribute.

HTML also defines special elements for defining text with a special meaning.

HTML uses elements like <b> and <i> for formatting output,like bold or italic text.

Formatting elements were designed to display special types of text:

  • <b> - Bold text
  • <strong> - Important text
  • <i> - Italic text
  • <em> - Emphasized text
  • <mark> - Marked text
  • <small> - Small text
  • <del> - Deleted text
  • <ins> - Inserted text
  • <sub> - Subscript text
  • <sup> - Superscript text

HTML <b> and <strong> Elements

The HTML <b> element defines bold text, without any extra importance.

Example

<b>This text is bold</b>

 

The HTML <strong> element defines strong text, with added semantic "strong" importance.

<strong>This text is strong</strong>

 

HTML <i> and <em> Elements

The HTML <i> element defines italic text, without any extra importance.

Example

<i>This text is italic</i>

 

The HTML <em> element defines emphasized text, with added semantic importance.

<em>This text is emphasized</em>

 

HTML <small> Element

The HTML <small> element defines small text.

Example

<h2>HTML <small>Small</small> Formatting</h2>

 

HTML <mark> Element

The HTML <mark> element defines marked or highlighted text.

Example

<h2>HTML <mark>Marked</mark> Formatting</h2>

 

HTML <del> Element

The HTML <del> element defines deleted (removed) text.

Example

<p>I love the color <del>red</del> blue </p>

 

HTML <ins> Element

The HTML <ins> element defines inserted (added) text.

Example

<p>I love the color <ins>red</ins>. </p>

 

HTML <sub> Element

The HTML <sub> element defines subscripted text.

Example

<p>This is <sub>subscripted</sub> text </p>

 

HTML <sup> Element

The HTML <sup> element defines superscripted text.

Example

<p>This is <sup>superscripted</sup> text </p>

 

HTML Text Formatting Elements

Tag Description
<b> Defines bold text
<em> Defines emphasized text 
<i> Defines italic text
<small> Defines smaller text
<strong> Defines important text
<sub> Defines subscripted text
<sup> Defines superscripted text
<ins> Defines inserted text
<del> Defines deleted text
<mark> Defines marked/highlighted text