Quick answerHTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the standard language for structuring web pages. It uses tags like <h1>, <p> and <a> to mark up headings, paragraphs, links, images and other content, which browsers then display. CSS controls the styling and JavaScript adds behaviour.
What HTML stands for
HyperText is text with links to other text — the "web" part of the World Wide Web. Markup means annotating content with tags that say what each part is. Language means there are agreed rules every browser follows. Tim Berners-Lee created HTML in 1991; today's version is the continuously updated "HTML Living Standard", usually called HTML5.
Tags, elements and attributes
<a href="https://htmlonline.dev">Try HTML</a><a>is the opening tag and</a>the closing tag.href="…"is an attribute — extra information about the element.- "Try HTML" is the content. Tag + attributes + content together form an element.
- Some elements, like
<img>and<br>, have no content and no closing tag. They're called void elements.
Your first HTML page
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>My first page</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Hello!</h1>
<p>This is my first web page.</p>
</body>
</html>Paste this into the online HTML editor to see it render instantly, then change the text and watch the preview update. The <head> holds information about the page (title, character set); the <body> holds what you see.
HTML, CSS and JavaScript
| Language | Job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| HTML | Structure and meaning | <button>Buy</button> |
| CSS | Appearance and layout | button { background: green; } |
| JavaScript | Behaviour | button.onclick = buy; |
Is HTML a programming language?
Strictly, no — it's a markup language. It describes content but can't do calculations, make decisions or repeat steps. That's why it's the easiest place to start: you can build a real page on day one, then add CSS and JavaScript.
What to learn next
Keep the HTML cheat sheet open while you practise, start new pages from the HTML5 boilerplate, and check your work with the HTML validator.
Frequently asked questions
What does HTML stand for?
HyperText Markup Language.
Is HTML hard to learn?
No. Most people can write a simple page in an hour. Knowing the 20–30 common tags covers almost everything.
Is HTML5 different from HTML?
HTML5 is the current version of HTML. It added semantic tags like <header> and <article>, native audio and video, and new form inputs.
Do I need special software to write HTML?
No. Any text editor works, and you can write and preview HTML entirely in the browser with the online HTML editor.
What is the difference between HTML and CSS?
HTML defines what's on the page (headings, paragraphs, images); CSS defines how it looks (colours, fonts, layout).