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3.2 HTML Images
Images can improve the design and the appearance of a web page.
Example 1: HTML image
<img src="pic_trulli.jpg" alt="Italian Trulli">
Example 2: HTML image of girl
<img src="img_girl.jpg" alt="Girl in a jacket">
Example 3: HTML image of flowers
<img src="img_chania.jpg" alt="Flowers in Chania">
HTML Images Syntax
The HTML tag is used to embed an image in a web page. Images are not technically inserted into a web page; images are linked to web pages. The tag creates a holding space for the referenced image. The tag is empty, it contains attributes only, and does not have a closing tag. The tag has two required attributes:
- src - Specifies the path to the image
- alt - Specifies an alternate text for the image
Syntax
<img src="url" alt="alternatetext">
The src Attribute
The required attribute specifies the path (URL) to the image.
Note: When a web page loads; it is the browser, at that moment, that gets the image from a web server and inserts it into the page. Therefore, make sure that the image actually stays in the same spot in relation to the web page, otherwise your visitors will get a broken link icon. The broken link icon and the text are shown if the browser cannot find the image.
Example 4: HTML image - alt attribute
<img src="img_chania.jpg" alt="Flowers in Chania">
The alt Attribute
The required attribute provides an alternate text for an image, if the user for some reason cannot view it (because of slow connection, an error in the src attribute, or if the user uses a screen reader). The value of the attribute should describe the image:
If a browser cannot find an image, it will display the value of the attribute:
Example 5: HTML image - error in source
<img src="wrongname.gif" alt="Flowers in Chania">
Tip: A screen reader is a software program that reads the HTML code, and allows the user to "listen" to the content. Screen readers are useful for people who are visually impaired or learning disabled.
Image Size - Width and Height
You can use the attribute to specify the width and height of an image.
Example 6: HTML image size part 1
<img src="img_girl.jpg" alt="Girl in a jacket" style="width:500px;height:600px;">
Alternatively, you can use the and attributes:
Example 7: HTML image size part 2
<img src="img_girl.jpg" alt="Girl in a jacket" width="500" height="600">
The and attributes always define the width and height of the image in pixels.
Note: Always specify the width and height of an image. If width and height are not specified, the web page might flicker while the image loads.
Width and Height, or Style?
The , and attributes are all valid in HTML. However, we suggest using the style attribute. It prevents styles sheets from changing the size of images:
Example 8: HTML image - size attributes or style?
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
img {
width: 100%;
}
</style>
</head>
<body>
<img src="html5.gif" alt="HTML5 Icon" width="128" height="128">
<img src="html5.gif" alt="HTML5 Icon" style="width:128px;height:128px;">
</body>
</html>
Images in Another Folder
If you have your images in a sub-folder, you must include the folder name in the attribute:
Example
<img src="/images/html5.gif" alt="HTML5 Icon" style="width:128px;height:128px;">
Images on Another Server/Website
Some web sites points to an external image on another server. To point to an image on another server, you must specify an absolute (full) URL in the attribute:
Example 9: HTML image - full URL
<img src="https://www.w3schools.com/images/w3schools_green.jpg" alt="W3Schools.com">
Notes on external images: External images might be under copyright. If you do not get permission to use it, you may be in violation of copyright laws. In addition, you cannot control external images; it can suddenly be removed or changed.
Animated Images
HTML allows animated GIFs:
Example 10: HTML image - animated GIF
<img src="programming.gif" alt="Computer Man" style="width:48px;height:48px;">
Image as a Link
To use an image as a link, put the tag inside the tag:
Example 11: HTML image as a link
<a href="default.asp"> <img src="smiley.gif" alt="HTML tutorial" style="width:42px;height:42px;"> </a>
Image Floating
Use the CSS property to let the image float to the right or to the left of a text:
Example 12: HTML image - float
<p><img src="smiley.gif" alt="Smiley face" style="float:right;width:42px;height:42px;"> The image will float to the right of the text.</p> <p><img src="smiley.gif" alt="Smiley face" style="float:left;width:42px;height:42px;"> The image will float to the left of the text.</p>
Common Image Formats
Here are the most common image file types, which are supported in all browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari, Opera):
| Abbreviation | File Format | File Extension |
|---|---|---|
| APNG | Animated Portable Network Graphics | .apng |
| GIF | Graphics Interchange Format | .gif |
| ICO | Microsoft Icon | .ico, .cur |
| JPEG | Joint Photographic Expert Group image | .jpg, .jpeg, .jfif, .pjpeg, .pjp |
| PNG | Portable Network Graphics | .png |
| SVG | Scalable Vector Graphics | .svg |
Chapter Summary
- Use the HTML element to define an image
- Use the HTML attribute to define the URL of the image
- Use the HTML attribute to define an alternate text for an image, if it cannot be displayed
- Use the HTML and attributes or the CSS and properties to define the size of the image
- Use the CSS property to let the image float to the left or to the right
Note: Loading large images takes time, and can slow down your web page. Use images carefully.
HTML Image Tags
| Tag | Description |
|---|---|
| <img> | Defines an image |
| <map> | Defines an image map |
| <area> | Defines a clickable area inside an image map |
| <picture> | Defines a container for multiple image resources |
For a complete list of all available HTML tags, visit HTML Tag Reference.