The <figure> HTML element is used to encapsulate self-contained content, such as images, illustrations, diagrams, code snippets, or other media, that is referenced as a single unit within the main flow of a document. This element is particularly useful for content that can be moved or repositioned in a document without affecting its overall meaning or structure. The <figure> element is often used in conjunction with the <figcaption> element, which provides a caption or description for the content within the <figure>.
Usage and Characteristics
The <figure> element is a semantic HTML5 element that enhances the organization and accessibility of content. It is designed to contain media and related content that can stand alone or be referenced independently from the main text. This makes it ideal for use in articles, tutorials, and other content-rich documents where additional context or explanation is beneficial. Here is an example of how the <figure> tag can be used:
<figure>
<img src="landscape.jpg" alt="A scenic view of the mountains.">
<figcaption>A beautiful mountain landscape at sunrise.</figcaption>
</figure>Valid Attributes for <figure>
The <figure> element does not have specific attributes beyond the global attributes, which include:
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| class | Specifies one or more class names for the element, used for CSS styling. |
| id | Defines a unique identifier for the element, useful for linking and JavaScript. |
| style | Contains inline CSS styles for the element. |
| title | Provides additional information about the element, often displayed as a tooltip. |
Benefits and Considerations
Semantic Clarity: The
<figure>element provides clear semantic meaning, indicating that the enclosed content is related and can be treated as a single unit. This helps both developers and search engines understand the structure and purpose of the content.Accessibility: When used with
<figcaption>, the<figure>element enhances accessibility by providing descriptions for media content, which can be read by screen readers.Flexibility: The
<figure>element can contain various types of content, including images, videos, audio clips, and code examples, making it versatile for different use cases.
In summary, the <figure> element is a valuable tool for organizing and presenting self-contained content in HTML documents. It improves semantic structure and accessibility, making it easier for users and search engines to understand the relationship between the content and its context.