HTML Style Guide
Writing HTML is not only about making a webpage work. Good HTML should also be clean, readable, consistent, accessible, and easy to maintain. An HTML Style Guide is a collection of practical rules and best practices that helps developers write HTML in a clear and consistent way.
A good style guide is especially useful when working on large websites, educational projects, business websites, or team-based development. When everyone follows similar coding habits, HTML becomes easier to understand, review, debug, and update.
This guide explains important HTML formatting rules, naming practices, indentation, attributes, comments, quotations, document structure, accessibility, file organization, and other useful conventions.
What Is an HTML Style Guide?
An HTML Style Guide is a set of recommended conventions for writing HTML code.
HTML itself usually allows more than one way to write the same structure. For example, these two elements are both valid:
<p>Hello World</p>
and:
<p>
Hello World
</p>
However, a project should normally choose one consistent style.
A style guide answers questions such as:
- How should HTML be indented?
- Should tags and attributes use lowercase?
- Should attribute values use quotation marks?
- How should comments be written?
- How should files be structured?
- When should semantic HTML elements be used?
- How should IDs and classes be named?
- Should unnecessary closing tags or attributes be avoided?
- How should accessibility attributes be handled?
The goal is not merely to make HTML look attractive. The goal is to make the code predictable, understandable, maintainable, and reliable.
Why Follow an HTML Style Guide?
Consistent HTML provides several important benefits.
Better readability
Clean formatting makes it easier for humans to understand a webpage’s structure.
Easier maintenance
When code follows predictable rules, developers can find and modify elements more quickly.
Easier debugging
Well-organized HTML makes missing tags, incorrectly nested elements, and other structural problems easier to identify.
Better teamwork
A common style prevents different developers from formatting the same project in completely different ways.
Improved accessibility
Good HTML practices encourage the correct use of headings, landmarks, labels, alternative text, buttons, and other semantic features.
Better scalability
A consistent coding style becomes increasingly valuable as a website grows from a few pages to hundreds or thousands of pages.
Easier code reviews
Reviewers can focus on functionality rather than repeatedly discussing formatting preferences.
Use a Proper HTML Document Structure
A standard HTML document should begin with a <!DOCTYPE html> declaration and normally contain html, head, and body elements.
Example:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>My Web Page</title>
</head>
<body>
<h1>Welcome</h1>
<p>This is my webpage.</p>
</body>
</html>
This structure provides a clear foundation for the document.
The lang attribute is important because it helps browsers and assistive technologies identify the primary language of the page.
Always Use the HTML5 Doctype
Use:
<!DOCTYPE html>
The HTML5 doctype is short, simple, and recommended for modern HTML documents.
Avoid outdated doctypes from older versions of HTML unless you are maintaining a legacy project that specifically requires them.
Use Lowercase HTML Elements
HTML is generally case-insensitive for element names, but lowercase is the preferred convention.
Recommended:
<h1>HTML Style Guide</h1>
<p>Learn how to write clean HTML.</p>
Avoid:
<H1>HTML Style Guide</H1>
<P>Learn how to write clean HTML.</P>
Lowercase HTML is easier to read and follows common modern web-development conventions.
Use Lowercase Attribute Names
Use lowercase attribute names.
Recommended:
<img src="photo.jpg" alt="A mountain landscape">
Avoid inconsistent capitalization such as:
<img SRC="photo.jpg" ALT="A mountain landscape">
Lowercase attributes keep the code visually consistent.
Quote Attribute Values
Use quotation marks around attribute values.
Recommended:
<a href="https://example.com">Visit Website</a>
Although some HTML syntax can technically omit quotation marks in certain circumstances, consistently quoting attribute values makes code clearer and safer.
Use double quotation marks as the normal convention:
<input type="text" name="username">
Avoid unnecessary inconsistency between single and double quotation marks.
Use Double Quotes Consistently
A common HTML convention is to use double quotation marks for attribute values.
Recommended:
<div class="container">
<p id="intro">Welcome.</p>
</div>
Using one quotation style throughout a project makes the code easier to scan.
Indent Nested HTML
Indent nested elements consistently.
A common convention is two spaces per indentation level:
<div>
<section>
<h2>About Us</h2>
<p>Learn more about our organization.</p>
</section>
</div>
Some teams prefer four spaces. Either can work.
The most important rule is consistency.
Avoid code where everything is placed at the same indentation level:
<div>
<section>
<h2>About Us</h2>
<p>Learn more about our organization.</p>
</section>
</div>
Proper indentation makes the document hierarchy much easier to understand.
Keep Related Elements Together
Group elements that belong to the same logical section.
For example:
<section>
<h2>Latest Articles</h2>
<article>
<h3>Learning HTML</h3>
<p>HTML provides the structure of web pages.</p>
</article>
<article>
<h3>Learning CSS</h3>
<p>CSS controls presentation and layout.</p>
</article>
</section>
Logical grouping improves readability and makes future changes easier.
Use Semantic HTML
Prefer semantic elements whenever they accurately describe the content.
Common semantic elements include:
<header>
<nav>
<main>
<section>
<article>
<aside>
<footer>
For example:
<header>
<h1>My Website</h1>
</header>
<nav>
<a href="/">Home</a>
<a href="/about">About</a>
</nav>
<main>
<article>
<h2>HTML Guide</h2>
<p>HTML provides the structure of a webpage.</p>
</article>
</main>
<footer>
<p>Copyright 2026</p>
</footer>
Semantic HTML communicates the meaning and structure of content more clearly than using generic containers everywhere.
Do Not Overuse <div>
The <div> element is useful, but it should not be the default choice for every part of a webpage.
Instead of:
<div class="header">
<div class="navigation">
...
</div>
</div>
consider:
<header>
<nav>
...
</nav>
</header>
Use <div> when no more meaningful semantic element is appropriate.
Use Headings in Logical Order
Headings should represent the structure of the content.
A typical hierarchy is:
<h1>Main Page Title</h1>
<h2>First Major Section</h2>
<h3>Subsection</h3>
<h2>Second Major Section</h2>
<h3>Another Subsection</h3>
Do not choose a heading level merely because it looks visually large or small.
CSS should control appearance. HTML headings should represent document structure.
Normally Use One Main <h1>
A page should generally have one clear primary heading that describes its main subject.
Example:
<h1>HTML Style Guide</h1>
The exact heading strategy can vary depending on the document structure and modern HTML usage, but a clear primary page heading remains a useful convention for readability and accessibility.
Use Meaningful Class Names
Class names should describe the purpose or role of an element rather than its visual appearance.
Better:
<div class="product-card">
Less useful:
<div class="blue-box">
The first name remains meaningful even if the design changes.
Similarly:
<button class="primary-action">Submit</button>
is generally more maintainable than:
<button class="big-blue-button">Submit</button>
Use Meaningful IDs
IDs should be unique within a document.
Example:
<section id="contact">
Avoid meaningless IDs such as:
<section id="box1">
when a descriptive name is possible.
Use names that communicate the element’s purpose.
Avoid Unnecessary IDs and Classes
Do not add attributes simply because they are available.
Unnecessary:
<p id="paragraph1" class="text">Hello.</p>
If the element does not need the ID or class, simply write:
<p>Hello.</p>
Less unnecessary markup generally means cleaner code.
Use Meaningful Link Text
Links should clearly describe their destination.
Better:
<a href="/html-tutorial">Learn HTML</a>
Avoid vague text when possible:
<a href="/html-tutorial">Click here</a>
Meaningful link text is especially useful for people who navigate websites using assistive technologies.
Use Descriptive alt Text for Images
Images that convey meaningful information should normally have useful alternative text.
Example:
<img src="html-editor.jpg" alt="HTML code displayed in a code editor">
Avoid:
<img src="html-editor.jpg" alt="image">
For purely decorative images, an empty alt attribute can be appropriate:
<img src="decorative-line.png" alt="">
Do not add unnecessary descriptions to decorative images.
Always Consider Accessibility
HTML should be written for people, not only browsers.
Important accessibility practices include:
- Use semantic elements.
- Provide meaningful alternative text for informative images.
- Associate labels with form controls.
- Use buttons for actions.
- Use links for navigation.
- Maintain logical heading structure.
- Provide descriptive link text.
- Avoid relying only on color to communicate meaning.
- Use appropriate language attributes.
- Make interactive content keyboard accessible.
For example:
<label for="email">Email address</label>
<input type="email" id="email" name="email">
This is preferable to presenting an input without an associated label.
Use Buttons for Actions
If an element performs an action, use a <button> where appropriate.
Example:
<button type="submit">Submit Form</button>
Do not use a link merely because it is easy to style when the element does not navigate to another resource.
Links and buttons have different meanings and behaviors.
Use Links for Navigation
Use <a> elements when the user is navigating to another URL or location.
Example:
<a href="/contact">Contact Us</a>
This makes the purpose of the element clear to browsers, users, and assistive technologies.
Specify the Button Type
Inside forms, explicitly specifying the button type can prevent unexpected behavior.
Example:
<button type="submit">Submit</button>
<button type="button">Preview</button>
Common values include:
submitbuttonreset
Using the correct type makes the intended behavior clearer.
Use Proper Form Labels
Every form control that requires a label should have a clear accessible name.
Recommended:
<label for="name">Name</label>
<input type="text" id="name" name="name">
This creates a direct relationship between the label and input.
Keep HTML Attributes Organized
There is no single universal order for HTML attributes, but a project can establish a consistent convention.
For example:
<a class="button" id="signup" href="/signup" aria-label="Create an account">
Sign Up
</a>
Some projects prefer id, class, event-related attributes, and then other attributes. The important point is to use one predictable pattern.
Do not randomly change attribute ordering from one element to another.
Avoid Long Lines When Practical
Extremely long HTML lines can be difficult to read.
Instead of:
<p>This is a very long paragraph containing many words and additional markup that can become difficult to inspect when everything is placed on a single line.</p>
longer structures can be formatted across multiple lines when that improves readability.
However, do not split simple elements unnecessarily. The goal is readable code, not maximum line breaks.
Format Long Elements Clearly
For an element with many attributes, putting each attribute on a separate line can improve readability.
Example:
<input
type="email"
id="email"
name="email"
placeholder="Enter your email"
autocomplete="email"
required
>
This can be easier to maintain than one extremely long line.
Close Elements Correctly
Normal HTML elements should be properly structured and closed where required.
Example:
<p>This is a paragraph.</p>
Avoid incorrect nesting such as:
<p><strong>Important</p></strong>
Correct nesting:
<p><strong>Important</strong></p>
Proper nesting helps browsers interpret the document as intended.
Understand Void Elements
Some HTML elements are void elements and do not have closing tags.
Examples include:
<img>
<input>
<br>
<hr>
<meta>
<link>
For example:
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company logo">
Do not write unnecessary closing tags such as:
<img></img>
HTML also does not require XML-style self-closing syntax for void elements.
You may encounter:
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company logo">
rather than:
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company logo" />
The first form follows common HTML5 style.
Avoid Unnecessary <br> Elements
The <br> element represents a line break. It should not normally be used to create page spacing.
Avoid:
<p>First paragraph.</p>
<br>
<br>
<p>Second paragraph.</p>
Use CSS for layout and spacing.
Use <br> when an actual line break is part of the content, such as certain addresses or poems.
Use CSS for Presentation
HTML should describe structure and meaning. CSS should control visual presentation.
Avoid obsolete or presentation-focused HTML practices such as using HTML attributes or elements simply to control appearance.
For example, instead of trying to create spacing with HTML:
<p>Text</p>
<br>
<br>
use CSS for spacing.
This separation makes the project easier to maintain.
Keep CSS and JavaScript Separate When Appropriate
For larger projects, it is often cleaner to keep CSS and JavaScript in separate files.
Example:
<link rel="stylesheet" href="styles.css">
<script src="script.js" defer></script>
This improves organization, caching, reuse, and maintainability.
Inline styles and scripts can still be appropriate in specific situations, but they should not become an uncontrolled habit.
Use Comments Carefully
Comments can explain important decisions or sections.
Example:
<!-- Primary navigation -->
<nav>
...
</nav>
Avoid comments that simply repeat obvious code:
<!-- This is a paragraph -->
<p>Hello.</p>
Good comments explain why something exists when the reason is not obvious.
Do Not Put Sensitive Information in HTML Comments
HTML comments are visible to anyone who can inspect the page source.
Never place passwords, API keys, private information, secret URLs, or other confidential information in comments.
For example, do not write:
<!-- Admin password: mysecretpassword -->
HTML source should always be treated as potentially visible to users.
Use HTML Entities When Appropriate
HTML supports character references for certain characters.
For example:
<p>5 < 10</p>
displays:
5 < 10
Common references include:
< <
> >
& &
" "
' '
Modern HTML supports Unicode directly, so entities are not required for every non-ASCII character. Use them when they improve correctness or are required by the context.
Declare Character Encoding
A modern HTML document should normally declare UTF-8.
Example:
<meta charset="UTF-8">
It should appear early in the <head>.
UTF-8 supports a very large range of characters and is the standard choice for modern websites.
Include the Viewport Meta Tag
For responsive pages, include:
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
This helps browsers on mobile devices use the page’s layout viewport appropriately.
Always Give the Page a Title
Use a meaningful <title> element.
Example:
<title>HTML Style Guide - Best Practices</title>
The title is important for browser tabs, bookmarks, search results, and accessibility.
Each important page should have a title that accurately describes its content.
Use Valid and Standard HTML
Prefer standard HTML elements and attributes.
Avoid inventing custom attributes such as:
<div myattribute="value">
If custom data needs to be stored in HTML, use data-* attributes:
<div data-product-id="12345">
For behavior or application state, use appropriate web APIs and JavaScript rather than creating arbitrary HTML syntax.
Use data-* Attributes Correctly
Custom data attributes can store application-specific information.
Example:
<button data-product-id="12345">
Add to Cart
</button>
They should represent data associated with the element rather than replacing semantic HTML.
Avoid Deprecated HTML
Do not use obsolete elements or attributes in new projects.
Modern HTML should focus on semantic elements and use CSS for presentation.
For example, old presentation-oriented elements should generally be replaced with modern HTML and CSS.
Legacy code may contain obsolete features, but new development should avoid introducing them.
Use Semantic Tables
Tables should be used for tabular data, not for page layout.
Example:
<table>
<caption>Student Scores</caption>
<thead>
<tr>
<th scope="col">Student</th>
<th scope="col">Score</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Ravi</td>
<td>85</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Using <caption>, <th>, and appropriate scope values can make tables easier to understand and more accessible.
Do Not Use Tables for Layout
Avoid creating website layouts with tables.
Old approach:
<table>
<tr>
<td>Header</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Content</td>
</tr>
</table>
Modern layouts should normally use CSS layout systems such as Flexbox and Grid together with semantic HTML.
Use Lists for Lists
When information is actually a list, use an appropriate list element.
Unordered list:
<ul>
<li>HTML</li>
<li>CSS</li>
<li>JavaScript</li>
</ul>
Ordered list:
<ol>
<li>Install the tools.</li>
<li>Create the HTML file.</li>
<li>Open it in a browser.</li>
</ol>
Description lists can be used for terms and their descriptions:
<dl>
<dt>HTML</dt>
<dd>A markup language used to structure web content.</dd>
</dl>
Use Meaningful File Names
HTML files should have clear and predictable names.
Examples:
index.html
about.html
contact.html
services.html
blog.html
Avoid confusing names such as:
page1.html
newfile2.html
abc123.html
unless there is a specific reason to use them.
Use lowercase names where practical and choose a consistent naming convention.
Use Consistent File Paths
For larger websites, organize assets logically.
For example:
project/
├── index.html
├── about.html
├── css/
│ └── styles.css
├── js/
│ └── script.js
└── images/
└── logo.png
This structure makes files easier to locate and maintain.
Use Relative Paths Carefully
Example:
<img src="images/logo.png" alt="Website logo">
If a file is located one directory above the current directory:
<img src="../images/logo.png" alt="Website logo">
Consistent directory organization helps prevent broken links and missing resources.
Keep URLs and Paths Clean
Use meaningful URLs where possible.
A URL such as:
/products
is easier to understand than:
/page.php?id=123
Although query parameters are sometimes necessary, readable URL structures are beneficial for users and search engines.
Use loading="lazy" Where Appropriate
Images that are not immediately needed can sometimes use lazy loading:
<img
src="large-image.jpg"
alt="Mountain landscape"
loading="lazy"
>
Do not blindly lazy-load every image. Important above-the-fold images may need to load immediately.
Provide Image Dimensions When Useful
Specifying image dimensions can help browsers reserve space before an image loads.
Example:
<img
src="mountain.jpg"
alt="Mountain landscape"
width="1200"
height="800"
>
This can help reduce unexpected layout movement.
Use Responsive Images When Needed
For responsive websites, HTML provides useful image features such as srcset and sizes.
Example:
<img
src="small.jpg"
srcset="small.jpg 480w, medium.jpg 800w, large.jpg 1200w"
sizes="(max-width: 600px) 480px, 800px"
alt="A mountain landscape"
>
This allows browsers to choose an appropriate image resource for the situation.
Use defer for External Scripts When Appropriate
For scripts that should not block HTML parsing, defer can be useful.
Example:
<script src="script.js" defer></script>
This is often preferable to placing unnecessary blocking scripts in the document head.
Do Not Use Inline JavaScript Unnecessarily
Avoid mixing large amounts of JavaScript directly into HTML.
Instead of:
<button onclick="submitForm()">Submit</button>
larger applications often benefit from attaching behavior through JavaScript.
However, inline event handlers may still appear in simple examples or legacy projects. The best choice depends on project requirements.
Keep Accessibility Attributes Meaningful
ARIA attributes can help communicate information when native HTML cannot express the required semantics.
However, native HTML should generally be preferred when it already provides the needed semantics.
For example, use:
<button>Menu</button>
rather than creating a generic element and adding unnecessary ARIA roles.
A useful principle is:
Do not use ARIA when native HTML already provides the correct semantic behavior.
Use aria-label Carefully
An aria-label can provide an accessible name when visible text is not available.
For example:
<button aria-label="Close">
×
</button>
But adding aria-label to every element is unnecessary and can sometimes create confusing accessibility experiences.
Use Language Attributes
Specify the document language:
<html lang="en">
For an Odia document, for example, the language declaration should reflect the actual language being used.
For multilingual content, the language of individual sections can also be identified where appropriate.
Write Human-Readable HTML
HTML is ultimately read by people as well as browsers.
Compare:
<section>
<h2>About Our Services</h2>
<p>We provide educational and technology resources.</p>
</section>
with heavily compressed and difficult-to-read markup.
Readable code is easier to understand, edit, review, and teach.
Avoid Excessive Compression During Development
Minified HTML may reduce file size, but it is difficult for humans to read.
During development, prioritize readable source code.
Minification can be performed later as part of a build or deployment process when performance requirements justify it.
Keep HTML Simple
Do not create complicated markup when a simple structure works.
For example:
<p>Hello</p>
is preferable to unnecessarily nesting multiple containers:
<div>
<div>
<span>
<p>Hello</p>
</span>
</div>
</div>
Simple HTML is generally easier to maintain.
Avoid Empty Elements
Do not create empty elements without a reason.
Avoid:
<div></div>
<div></div>
<div></div>
If an element is needed for layout or JavaScript, its purpose should be clear. Otherwise, remove unnecessary markup.
Validate HTML
Validation tools can help identify structural and syntax problems.
Validation is especially useful when:
- Learning HTML.
- Building large websites.
- Refactoring old pages.
- Debugging unexpected browser behavior.
- Reviewing third-party templates.
Validation does not replace accessibility testing, browser testing, or human review, but it is a valuable part of quality control.
Use a Formatter When Appropriate
Automatic formatters can make HTML style consistent across a project.
A formatter can help standardize:
- indentation
- line breaks
- attribute formatting
- quotation marks
- spacing
- nested structures
However, formatting tools should support the project’s style rather than replace thoughtful HTML structure.
Follow Project-Specific Conventions
There is no single formatting rule that is mandatory for every development team.
A project might choose:
2 spaces
while another might choose:
4 spaces
Both can be reasonable.
The key is to document the decision and follow it consistently.
Example of a Clean HTML Page
Here is an example that combines many of these practices:
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
<meta charset="UTF-8">
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
<title>HTML Style Guide</title>
<link rel="stylesheet" href="css/styles.css">
<script src="js/script.js" defer></script>
</head>
<body>
<header>
<h1>HTML Style Guide</h1>
<nav aria-label="Main navigation">
<a href="/">Home</a>
<a href="/html">HTML</a>
<a href="/contact">Contact</a>
</nav>
</header>
<main>
<article>
<h2>HTML Coding Practices</h2>
<p>
Clean HTML is easier to read, maintain, and understand.
</p>
<section>
<h3>Use Semantic Elements</h3>
<p>
Semantic elements describe the purpose of content.
</p>
<img
src="images/html-code.jpg"
alt="HTML code displayed on a computer screen"
width="1200"
height="800"
loading="lazy"
>
</section>
</article>
</main>
<footer>
<p>© 2026 Example Website</p>
</footer>
</body>
</html>
This example demonstrates a clear document structure, semantic elements, consistent indentation, lowercase syntax, quoted attributes, accessible navigation, meaningful alternative text, a viewport declaration, an external stylesheet, and deferred JavaScript.
Common HTML Style Mistakes
Several habits can make HTML difficult to maintain.
Inconsistent indentation
<div>
<section>
<h2>Title</h2>
<p>Text</p>
</section>
</div>
Using non-semantic elements unnecessarily
<div class="header">
when:
<header>
is more appropriate.
Using presentation for structure
Using excessive <br> elements for spacing is usually a sign that CSS should be used instead.
Meaningless class names
<div class="box1">
is less descriptive than:
<div class="article-card">
Missing image alternative text
<img src="logo.png">
If the image conveys information, appropriate alternative text should normally be provided.
Using links as buttons
An element that performs an action should generally use a button rather than pretending to be a navigation link.
Using tables for page layout
Tables should represent data, not serve as the main layout system.
Adding unnecessary markup
More HTML does not automatically mean better HTML.
HTML Style Guide Checklist
Before publishing an HTML page, consider the following:
- Use
<!DOCTYPE html>. - Use lowercase element and attribute names.
- Quote attribute values consistently.
- Use a consistent indentation style.
- Use meaningful element names and class names.
- Prefer semantic HTML.
- Avoid unnecessary
<div>elements. - Maintain a logical heading hierarchy.
- Use meaningful link text.
- Use appropriate
alttext for informative images. - Associate labels with form controls.
- Use buttons for actions.
- Use links for navigation.
- Specify the document language.
- Include UTF-8 character encoding.
- Include a meaningful
<title>. - Include the viewport meta tag for responsive pages.
- Avoid deprecated HTML.
- Use CSS for presentation.
- Avoid using tables for layout.
- Keep HTML readable.
- Remove unnecessary markup.
- Validate important pages.
- Follow the project’s documented conventions.
- Test important pages with accessibility tools and real users when possible.
HTML Style Guide: Best Practices at a Glance
A good HTML coding style can be summarized in a few simple principles:
Write for humans.
Your code should be easy for another developer to understand.
Use meaningful HTML.
Choose elements based on their meaning, not merely their default appearance.
Keep it consistent.
Use the same indentation, naming, quotation, and formatting conventions throughout the project.
Keep it simple.
Avoid unnecessary elements, attributes, and complicated nesting.
Think about accessibility.
Good HTML should work for people using different devices and assistive technologies.
Separate structure from presentation.
Use HTML for structure and meaning, CSS for appearance, and JavaScript for behavior.
Use modern standards.
Prefer current HTML features and avoid obsolete practices in new projects.
Document project-specific rules.
When a team has a particular convention, record it so everyone can follow the same standard.
HTML Style Guide vs HTML Syntax Rules
It is useful to understand that a style guide and HTML syntax rules are not exactly the same thing.
HTML syntax defines what the language means and how browsers process markup.
A style guide defines how a development team chooses to write that markup.
For example, HTML allows certain variations in formatting, but a project may require:
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company logo">
instead of other syntactically acceptable variations.
Therefore, style guides are mainly about consistency, readability, maintainability, and best practices.
Final Thoughts
An HTML Style Guide helps turn ordinary HTML into clean, consistent, maintainable code. The most important principle is not to follow formatting rules blindly. Instead, understand why each practice exists.
Use semantic elements when they describe the content correctly. Keep indentation consistent. Use meaningful names. Write accessible markup. Avoid unnecessary elements. Separate HTML structure from CSS presentation and JavaScript behavior. Keep the document easy for both browsers and humans to understand.
For small projects, these habits may seem minor. For large websites and team-based development, they can make a major difference.
Good HTML is not simply HTML that works. Good HTML is structured, meaningful, accessible, readable, and maintainable.