HTML Formatting
Master this topic with zero to advance depth.
Expert Answer & Key Takeaways
Mastering HTML Formatting is essential for high-fidelity technical architecture and senior engineering roles in 2026.
HTML Text Formatting
HTML contains several elements for defining text with a special meaning.
<b>This text is bold</b>
<i>This text is italic</i>
<p>This is <sub>subscript</sub> and <sup>superscript</sup></p>HTML Formatting Elements
Formatting elements were designed to display special types of text:
<b>- Bold text<strong>- Important text<i>- Italic text<em>- Emphasized text<mark>- Marked text<small>- Smaller text<del>- Deleted text<ins>- Inserted text<sub>- Subscript text<sup>- Superscript text
HTML <b> and <strong> Elements
The HTML
<b> element defines bold text, without any extra importance.<b>This text is bold</b>The HTML
<strong> element defines text with strong importance. The content inside is typically displayed in bold.<strong>This text is important!</strong>HTML <i> and <em> Elements
The HTML
<i> element defines a part of text in an alternate voice or mood. The content inside is typically displayed in italic.<i>This text is italic</i>The HTML
<em> element defines emphasized text. The content inside is typically displayed in italic.<em>This text is emphasized</em>Note: A screen reader will pronounce the words in
<em> with an emphasis, using verbal stress.HTML <small> Element
The HTML
<small> element defines smaller text:<small>This is some smaller text.</small>HTML <mark> Element
The HTML
<mark> element defines text that should be marked or highlighted:<p>Do not forget to buy <mark>milk</mark> today.</p>HTML <del> and <ins> Elements
The HTML
<del> element defines text that has been deleted from a document. Browsers will usually strike a line through deleted text.<p>My favorite color is <del>blue</del> red.</p>The HTML
<ins> element defines a text that has been inserted into a document. Browsers will usually underline inserted text.HTML <sub> and <sup> Elements
The HTML
<sub> element defines subscript text. Subscript text appears half a character below the normal line, and is sometimes rendered in a smaller font:<p>This is <sub>subscripted</sub> text.</p>The HTML
<sup> element defines superscript text. Superscript text appears half a character above the normal line:<p>This is <sup>superscripted</sup> text.</p>💡 Interactive Task
Try using
<strong> for a warning message and <em> for a sarcastic comment in your code. Notice how even though they look different, they convey specific 'feelings' to the browser!Interview Corner
❓ Interview Question
Q: What is the difference between
<b> and <strong>?A: Visually they both appear bold. However,
<strong> is semantic and tells the browser/screen reader that the text is logically important, while <b> is purely stylistic without implying importance.❓ Interview Question
Q: Which tag should I use for mathematical powers?
A: Use the
<sup> (superscript) tag. For example: 10<sup>2</sup> will display as 10 squared in a web browser.❓ Interview Question
Q: What does the
<mark> tag do?A: The
<mark> tag highlights text with a background color (usually yellow) to draw attention to it, similar to using a highlighter pen on paper.Course4All Engineering Team
Verified ExpertFrontend Architects
Focused on accessibility, semantic structure, and modern SEO, our frontend team ensures the HTML/CSS curriculum meets 2026 professional standards.
Pattern: 2026 Ready
Updated: Weekly
Found an issue or have a suggestion?
Help us improve! Report bugs or suggest new features on our Telegram group.