4.2.2. Use HTML tags for their semantic value
HTML tags must be used for their intended purpose, not for the visual effect they provide.
For example:
| Tags | Incorrect usage | Correct usage |
|---|---|---|
<blockquote> | Indent text | Tag a block quote |
<ul> and <li> | Display a bullet point | Tag lists |
<fieldset> | Display a border | Group related form items |
<h1> to <h6> | Display larger or smaller text sizes | Define heading levels in hierarchy |
Related recommendations
- Previous recommendation: 4.2.1. Do not use HTML attributes or tags designed exclusively for formatting
- Next recommendation: 5.1.1. Use an empty alternate text (alt="") for decorative and illustrative images
