You might see <b> Element reference while reading someone else’s HTML, or need it while building a page of your own. Instead of memorizing a definition, look at a working example and see when the element makes sense.
The Idea in Plain English
Draws attention to text without giving it extra importance. Use strong when the meaning is particularly important.
For a reference page, pay attention to where the element is allowed, whether it needs a closing tag, and what other elements it can contain.
A Working Example
Read the sample once before copying it. Notice the element names and attribute values, then compare them with the explanation below.
<p>Search for <b>oak tree</b> in the index.</p>What Each Part Does
- The b element draws attention to text without changing its importance.
- A paragraph keeps one idea together as readable text.
The phrase is visually distinguished, usually in bold.
Try It Yourself
Try replacing the example content with your own while keeping the valid HTML structure.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Choosing b for an urgent warning that needs strong semantics.
- Changing several parts of the example at once, making it difficult to see which part caused a different result.
- Choosing a tag only because its default appearance looks right, without checking whether it describes the content correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Draws attention to text without giving it extra importance. Use strong when the meaning is particularly important.
- The phrase is visually distinguished, usually in bold.
- Test the markup in a browser, and check accessibility and real-world behavior where relevant.