HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

<HEAD> Element

Category: Document
Period: HTML 1 / HTML 2.0
Status: core

Description

The non-visible information area of an HTML document.

Syntax

<HEAD>
<TITLE>Page title</TITLE>
</HEAD>

Attributes

None in strict HTML 2.0.

Usage Guidelines

Use HEAD for TITLE and document metadata, not for page copy.
Keep it short. Early browsers and crawlers expected simple information here.
LINK, BASE, META and NEXTID also live in HEAD in documents.
A missing or vague TITLE makes bookmarks and history lists difficult to read.

Common Mistakes

Do not put H1, P or IMG in HEAD.
Do not use script or style blocks in a strict early-HTML exercise.

Example Code

<HEAD>
<TITLE>About Our Catalogue</TITLE>
<META NAME="description" CONTENT="A small catalogue page">
</HEAD>

Authoring Note

Write the document first, then test it in a graphical browser and a text browser. The page should remain understandable if images fail, colours are ignored, or the browser uses its own fonts.

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