HTML <header> Tag
The HTML <header>
tag represents introductory content for its nearest ancestor sectioning content or sectioning root element.
Sectioning Content is content that defines the scope of headings and footers. The following elements are categorized as sectioning content: <article>
, <aside>
, <nav>
, <section>
Sectioning Root elements can have their own outlines, but the sections and headings inside these elements do not contribute to the outlines of their ancestors. The following tags are categorized as sectioning roots (<blockquote>
, <body>
, <fieldset>
, <figure>
, <td>
).
Headers can contain headings, subheadings, version information, search forms, logos, navigational controls, etc.
Syntax
The <header>
tag is written as <header>
</header>
with the header content inserted between the start and end tags.
Like this:
Examples
Basic Overview
Elements Inside the <header>
Element
A <header>
element will typically contain a heading for the section (although this isn't required). A <header>
element could also contain navigation, search, logos, and other content.
Document Headings
In this example, the <header>
element contains a heading for the whole document. The document contains three separate articles on the same topic.
Article Headings
In this example, the <header>
element is contained within an <article>
element. This means that the <header>
element applies to the <article>
element (and not necessarily the whole document).
Logo & Search Form
In this example, the <header>
element contains a logo and a search form.
Attributes
Attributes can be added to an HTML element to provide more information about how the element should appear or behave.
The <header>
element accepts the following attributes.
Attribute | Description |
---|---|
None |
Global Attributes
The following attributes are standard across all HTML elements. Therefore, you can use these attributes with the <header>
tag , as well as with all other HTML tags.
accesskey
autocapitalize
class
contenteditable
data-*
dir
draggable
hidden
id
inputmode
is
itemid
itemprop
itemref
itemscope
itemtype
lang
part
slot
spellcheck
style
tabindex
title
translate
For a full explanation of these attributes, see HTML 5 global attributes.
Event Handlers
Event handler content attributes enable you to invoke a script from within your HTML. The script is invoked when a certain "event" occurs. Each event handler content attribute deals with a different event.
onabort
onauxclick
onblur
oncancel
oncanplay
oncanplaythrough
onchange
onclick
onclose
oncontextmenu
oncopy
oncuechange
oncut
ondblclick
ondrag
ondragend
ondragenter
ondragexit
ondragleave
ondragover
ondragstart
ondrop
ondurationchange
onemptied
onended
onerror
onfocus
onformdata
oninput
oninvalid
onkeydown
onkeypress
onkeyup
onlanguagechange
onload
onloadeddata
onloadedmetadata
onloadstart
onmousedown
onmouseenter
onmouseleave
onmousemove
onmouseout
onmouseover
onmouseup
onpaste
onpause
onplay
onplaying
onprogress
onratechange
onreset
onresize
onscroll
onsecuritypolicyviolation
onseeked
onseeking
onselect
onslotchange
onstalled
onsubmit
onsuspend
ontimeupdate
ontoggle
onvolumechange
onwaiting
onwheel
Most event handler content attributes can be used on all HTML elements, but some event handlers have specific rules around when they can be used and which elements they are applicable to.
For more detail, see HTML event handler content attributes.