Introduction
Headings are one of the first building blocks you use when structuring a webpage.
They are crucial for organizing content, guiding users, and helping search engines understand your page's hierarchy.
But using headings properly isn’t just about making text bigger or bolder — it's about semantic structure, accessibility, and SEO (Search Engine Optimization).
In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about HTML headings: from h1
to h6
, including best practices, real-world examples, and common mistakes.
1. What Are Headings in HTML?
Definition:
Headings in HTML are special tags ( to
) used to define the titles or subtitles of a page section.
Each heading level represents a different level of importance, with being the highest and
the lowest.
Syntax Example:
Main Title
Subsection Title
Smaller Subsection
2. Purpose of Headings
- Visual Structure: Break up large blocks of text, making pages easier to scan.
- Semantic Meaning: Give meaning to the page content hierarchy.
- Accessibility: Assist screen readers and assistive technologies to navigate content quickly.
- SEO Benefits: Search engines prioritize content structure when ranking pages.
3. Understanding the Hierarchy: h1
to h6
Heading Tag | Typical Use Case | Importance Level |
---|---|---|
|
Main page title | Highest |
|
Main section heading | High |
|
Subsection under an
|
Medium |
|
Subsection under an
|
Low |
|
Minor subsections, rarely used | Lower |
|
Least important section headings | Lowest |