The HTML image tag is one of the most commonly used elements in web development. It allows you to display pictures, graphics, and visual content on your web pages. The img tag is self-closing, which means it doesn't need a separate closing tag like other HTML elements.
The basic syntax of the image tag is simple but requires two mandatory attributes. The src attribute tells the browser where to find the image file, whether it's a local path or a web URL. The alt attribute provides alternative text that appears if the image fails to load and is crucial for accessibility, helping screen readers describe the image to visually impaired users.
The src attribute is the heart of the image tag, telling the browser exactly where to find the image file. You can use relative paths for images stored in your website's folder structure, like images slash photo dot jpg. Or you can use absolute URLs to link to images hosted on other websites or content delivery networks. Relative paths are more common for your own images, while absolute URLs are useful for external resources.
The alt attribute is crucial for web accessibility and serves multiple important purposes. It provides alternative text that screen readers can announce to visually impaired users, helping them understand what the image shows. When images fail to load due to slow connections or broken links, the alt text appears as a fallback. Good alt text should be descriptive and meaningful, like golden sunset over calm ocean, rather than generic terms like image or photo.
Beyond the required attributes, you can use optional attributes to control image display. Width and height attributes set the image dimensions in pixels. The title attribute provides tooltip text that appears when users hover over the image. Following best practices ensures your images work well across all devices and browsers. Always use descriptive alt text, optimize file sizes for faster loading, and test your images on different screen sizes to ensure they display correctly.