Heading tags

What are heading tags?

Heading tags are HTML elements, from H1 through H6, used to mark up the headings and subheadings of a page. H1 is the main heading and H2 through H6 form the lower levels. They give the text structure for readers and help search engines and screen readers understand the content.

Why are heading tags important?

• Readability: visitors scan a page for headings first.
• Context for search engines: headings show which topics a page covers.
• Accessibility: screen readers use headings to navigate.

Examples of heading tags

• A blog post with one H1, several H2s and H3s beneath them.
• <h2>Why is SEO important?</h2> as a subheading.
• Misuse: choosing a heading because the letters are bigger, not because it fits the structure.

How do you use heading tags?

1. Use one H1 for the main topic.
2. Divide the text with H2s for the main sections and H3s for details.
3. Do not skip levels, and choose the heading by structure, not by styling.

See also on-page SEO.