HTML <aside> Element: Tangential Content

Aside contains content related to the surrounding material but not part of the main flow, such as related reading or background notes.

What You Need to Know

Its meaning depends on context. An aside can complement an article without interrupting its main explanation, but it should not hide essential instructions.

The goal is not to collect as many tags as possible. Pick the element that best describes what the content really is.

Example: See It in Action

Add this example to the appropriate part of a practice HTML page. Read each line before you open the page in your browser.

This is a short HTML fragment. To try it as a webpage, put it inside the body element of a complete HTML document.

<main>
    <article>
        <h1>Photography Tips</h1>
        <p>Use natural light.</p>
    </article>
    <aside aria-label="Related tips">
        <h2>Try next</h2>
        <p>Portraits</p>
    </aside>
</main>

Let’s Understand the Example

• Aside holds related but secondary content, such as tips or additional context.
• Main identifies the central content of the page; it should not be duplicated as separate visible main landmarks.
• Article marks a piece that could make sense on its own, such as a news post or recipe.
• Aria-label supplies an accessible name when a visible label is unavailable or inadequate.

You should see a readable heading and its related content. The heading level tells readers how the ideas fit together, not merely how large the letters look.

What Should You See?

The page should display “Photography Tips” as a heading, followed by its related content. Change the heading text and refresh the browser to see the result.

Read only the headings, from top to bottom. Do they tell a sensible story? If not, move sections or choose levels that match the content.

Try It Yourself

1. Add a related-tip link to the aside and label its purpose.
2. Save your changes, open or refresh the page, and compare the result with the original example.
3. Tell a friend what your change did. If you are not sure, undo it, refresh the page, and compare.

Common Beginner Mistakes

• Putting crucial form instructions in an aside that users might skip.
• Avoid picking tags just for their default bold, italic or spaced appearance. Use CSS for presentation.

Key Takeaways

• Aside contains content related to the surrounding material but not part of the main flow, such as related reading or background notes.
• Aside holds related but secondary content, such as tips or additional context.
• Its meaning depends on context. An aside can complement an article without interrupting its main explanation, but it should not hide essential instructions.