You might see <figure> 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
Groups self-contained media or examples with an optional figcaption. A figure can contain an image, code listing or chart.
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.
<figure>
<img src="/images/fossil.jpg" alt="Leaf fossil pressed into stone" width="500" height="320">
<figcaption>Figure 1: A leaf fossil.</figcaption>
</figure>What Each Part Does
- A figure keeps an illustration or example together with its caption.
- The img displays an image and uses alt for its text alternative.
- A figcaption identifies or explains its containing figure.
- src points to the asset the browser should load.
- alt supplies replacement text for an informative image or empty text for a decorative one.
- width reserves the image or embedded resource’s intended horizontal dimension.
The image and its caption form a single meaningful unit.
Try It Yourself
Try replacing the example content with your own while keeping the valid HTML structure.
Common Beginner Mistakes
- Using figure as a generic container for every illustration regardless of caption or context.
- Copying the code without checking whether its linked files or endpoints exist; sample addresses and file paths need real resources.
- Choosing a tag only because its default appearance looks right, without checking whether it describes the content correctly.
Key Takeaways
- Groups self-contained media or examples with an optional figcaption. A figure can contain an image, code listing or chart.
- The image and its caption form a single meaningful unit.
- Test the markup in a browser, and check accessibility and real-world behavior where relevant.