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Elements and tags are related, but not the same
An HTML element is a structural or semantic unit of a document, such as a heading, paragraph, link, or form control. Tags are the notation that marks the element in HTML source. For example, <p> begins a paragraph element and </p> ends it; the tags express the element in the document’s markup.
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When you need to know what an element means, which attributes it accepts, or how it fits into a page, consult an HTML element reference. Browsing by function—such as text content, forms, embedded content, or document metadata—is often more useful than trying to memorize a flat list. MDN’s HTML elements reference groups elements by their roles and links to related attribute information, including global attributes.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallHow do I find which styles can be associated with an HTML element?
Start with the CSS property you want to use, then identify the selector that targets the element or elements you want to affect. HTML does not provide a separate list of “styles for each tag”: CSS rules apply through selectors, and the properties in their declarations describe the styling.
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A CSS rule has a selector followed by a declaration block. A declaration pairs a property with a value. In p { color: navy; }, p is the selector, while color: navy is a declaration: color is the property and navy is its value. The selector targets paragraph elements, so the declaration styles the text in those elements.
- Look up the property. Use the MDN CSS reference to check a property’s purpose, values, and related details.
- Choose a selector. A type selector such as
ptargets an element type; other selectors can target elements by attributes, relationships, or state. The CSS reference also indexes selector syntax. - Write a declaration. Pair the property with a suitable value, then place the declaration in a rule for the selector.
The CSS reference is broader than a property catalog. It also covers selectors, pseudo-classes, pseudo-elements, data types, functions, and at-rules—parts of CSS you may need when building a rule or understanding why it matches a particular element.
Which reference should I use: MDN or the HTML Standard?
| Reference | Best for | Organization and scope |
|---|---|---|
| MDN HTML reference and MDN CSS reference | Explanatory lookups while learning or working: what an element, property, selector, or other CSS feature does. | Task-friendly indexes covering HTML elements and attributes, and CSS properties and other CSS concepts. |
| WHATWG HTML Living Standard | Standards-level detail about HTML requirements and behavior. | The normative HTML standard, organized as specification text rather than a quick-reference guide; it does not serve as the CSS reference. |
For a quick explanation, MDN is usually the more approachable starting point. Consult the WHATWG standard when you need the specification-level account of HTML. The references complement each other: MDN offers explanatory indexes, while WHATWG publishes the HTML Living Standard.
Browse HTML by what you are building
Instead of memorizing every element, start with the job the markup needs to do. The MDN HTML reference groups elements by function, helping you find candidates and then check their semantics and attributes.
- Organize the page: look for elements that define document sections and structure.
- Present text and meaning: look for elements for headings, paragraphs, links, and text-level semantics.
- Collect or display information: browse elements for forms, tables, and embedded content when those are part of the task.
- Set document-wide details: check metadata and global attributes when the question concerns the document or attributes shared across elements.
These are ways to navigate the reference, not a substitute for checking an individual element’s definition. Similar-looking elements can carry different meaning, and the reference is where to confirm the intended use and available attributes.
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