HTML Level 1 and 2 Manual

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Element Index > Embedded Objects

<IMG> Element

Category: Embedded Objects
Period: HTML 2.0
Status: core

Description

Embeds an inline image.

Syntax

<IMG SRC="picture.gif" ALT="description">

Attributes

SRC, ALT, ALIGN, ISMAP. WIDTH, HEIGHT, BORDER and HSPACE/VSPACE were common extensions, not strict HTML 2.0.

Usage Guidelines

• Always write ALT text. Many users had images turned off or used text browsers.
• Use small GIFs for icons, rules and logos.
• Avoid enormous images: a 30 KB picture was a real wait on a modem.
• Keep important text as text, not only inside an image.

Common Mistakes

• Do not rely on WIDTH and HEIGHT if writing strict HTML 2.0.
• Transparent GIFs and image maps depended on browser support.

Example Code

<P><IMG SRC="images/logo.gif" ALT="The Company Logo">
<P>Welcome to our catalogue.

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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