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HTML

Posted by Christos Ekimogloy
Christos Ekimogloy
1,347 Points

Void Element and Self-Closing Tags

This is a total n00b question:

This seems very Square/Rectangle but, is it correct to say that a Void Element is a Self-Closing tag, but a Self-Closing tag is not always a Void Element?

<HR> and <BR> are both Void Elements and Self-Closing tags, but <META> and <DOCTYPE> are Self-Closing tags but not Void Elements?

Is this correct?

Brandon Beard
Brandon Beard
9,495 Points

Check this form out http://www.456bereastreet.com/archive/201005/void_empty_elements_and_self-closing_start_tags_in_html/

1 Answer

Thomas MacFarlane
Thomas MacFarlane
2,430 Points
Thomas MacFarlane
Thomas MacFarlane
2,430 Points

Void elements USE self-closing tags. Self-Closing tags are used for void elements.

It's a nuance but it's like this: A cat uses claws. A cat without claws is not a correct cat. Claws are only used on cats. Not true but sticking with the metaphor

A HTML image is a void element. A void element requires a self-closing tag by using:

<img... blah blah blah />

However, that being said, HTML5 doesn't require closing void elements, it's really a preference. If you're used to XHTML for example, you may as well keep the habit.