What are HTML Images?
Images are an essential part of web design, used to enhance visual appeal and provide content. In HTML, images are embedded using the <img>
tag.
Image Syntax
The basic syntax for including an image in HTML is as follows:
<img src="URL" alt="description">
Example:
<img src="https://www.example.com/image.jpg" alt="A beautiful scenery">
Common Image Attributes
Images can have several attributes to control their display and behavior:
- src: The URL of the image file.
- alt: A textual description of the image for accessibility and SEO purposes.
- width: Specifies the width of the image in pixels or percentage.
- height: Specifies the height of the image in pixels or percentage.
- title: Provides additional information about the image, typically displayed as a tooltip on hover.
Example with attributes:
<img src="https://www.example.com/image.jpg" alt="A beautiful scenery" width="500" height="300" title="Scenery">
Common Image Formats
Different image formats are used for various purposes:
- JPEG (.jpg, .jpeg): Best for photographs and images with many colors.
- PNG (.png): Supports transparency and is ideal for images with text and sharp edges.
- GIF (.gif): Supports animation and is suitable for simple graphics.
- SVG (.svg): A vector format ideal for logos and icons that need to scale without losing quality.
Best Practices for Using HTML Images
- Always use the
alt
attribute for accessibility and SEO. - Optimize images for web use by reducing file sizes to improve loading times.
- Use appropriate image formats based on the type of image.
- Specify image dimensions to prevent layout shifts during page load.
- Ensure images are responsive by using CSS or attributes for flexible layouts.