So, you’ve just started learning HTML and you’re wondering — how many types of HTML tags are there? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this beginner-friendly guide, I’ll break it down in a super simple way with real examples. By the end, you’ll feel more confident using HTML to build your own web pages.
What Are HTML Tags?
HTML tags are kind of like instructions that tell your web browser how to show different parts of a webpage. They help you add text, images, links, videos, forms, and more.
Most tags look like this:
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>You see that? There’s an opening tag (<p>) and a closing tag (</p>), and your content goes in between.
The 5 Main Types of HTML Tags
There are tons of tags in HTML, but they usually fall into these 5 easy-to-understand categories:
1. Structural Tags (The Skeleton of Your Page)
These tags define the basic layout of your web page.
<html>– The root element<head>– Contains page info like title and links<body>– Where your actual content lives
Example:
<html>
<head>
<title>My First Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome!</h1>
</body>
</html>2. Paired & Unpaired Tags
🔹 Paired Tags
These are the most common. They come in a pair — one to open and one to close.
Example:
<h1>Hello World</h1>
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>🔹 Unpaired (Self-closing) Tags
These don’t need a closing tag. They work all by themselves.
Example:
<br> <!-- Adds a line break -->
<img src="image.jpg" alt="A sample image">3. Text Formatting Tags
These tags help style your text to make it bold, italic, underlined, etc.
<b>– Bold<i>– Italic<u>– Underline<strong>– Strong emphasis<em>– Emphasized text
Example:
<p><strong>Tip:</strong> Always close your tags properly!</p>4. Semantic Tags (Made for HTML5)
Semantic tags help you write cleaner code by giving meaning to each section of your content. They’re great for both SEO and teamwork.
Some common ones:
<header><footer><nav><main><section><article><aside>
Example:
<article>
<h2>Blog Title</h2>
<p>This is your blog content.</p>
</article>5. Media & Form Tags
🎥 Media Tags
Want to add images, videos, or sound? These tags help:
<img>– Add images<video>– Add videos<audio>– Add music or sound clips
Example:
<video controls>
<source src="movie.mp4" type="video/mp4">
</video>📝 Form Tags
Used when you need input from users — like in contact forms.
Some examples:
<form>,<input>,<label>,<textarea>,<button>,<select>
Example:
<form>
<label>Your Name:</label>
<input type="text">
<button type="submit">Send</button>
</form>Also Read: What is HTML? The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide (2025) – Start Coding Today!
🧠 Types of HTML Tags – Quick Summary Table
| Type of Tag | Examples | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Structural | <html>, <head>, <body> | Builds the page layout |
| Paired | <p>, <h1>, <div> | Wraps around content |
| Unpaired | <br>, <img>, <input> | Stands alone |
| Text Formatting | <b>, <i>, <strong> | Styles and emphasizes text |
| Semantic | <header>, <nav>, <section> | Gives meaning to sections |
| Media & Form | <img>, <form>, <video> | Add interaction and media |
✨ Final Thoughts
Learning HTML might seem tricky at first, but once you get the hang of these tag types, it becomes a lot more fun. Just remember: every web page is made of these little building blocks. The better you understand them, the more control you’ll have over how your page looks and works.
So go ahead — open your code editor and start playing with these tags. That’s the best way to learn!
Also Read: 11 HTML Mistakes Every Beginner Makes (Fix Them in 2025)
Types of HTML Tags – FAQs
How many types of HTML tags are there in total?
There are over 100 official HTML tags, but you’ll mostly use around 25–30 for basic web pages.
Are HTML tags case-sensitive?
Nope! You can use uppercase or lowercase — <P> is the same as <p>. But using lowercase is the modern standard.
Do I need to memorize every tag?
Not at all. Start with the basics, and as you build more pages, you’ll naturally pick up more tags.