CSS
Which Character Is Used to Indicate an End Tag in HTML?
When writing HTML, understanding how to correctly open and close tags is essential. While start tags define where an element begins, end tags define where it ends—and they are marked using a specific character.
In this blog post, you’ll learn:
- ✅ What an end tag is
- 🏷️ Which character indicates an end tag
- 💡 Examples of valid HTML tags
- 🧠 Why end tags are important
✅ What Is an End Tag in HTML?
An end tag tells the browser that an HTML element has finished. It’s used to close the opening tag and mark the end of that element’s content.
🔤 Format of an End Tag:
</tagname>
It consists of:
- A less-than sign
< - A forward slash
/← This is the key character - The tag name
- A greater-than sign
>
🔑 The Character That Indicates an End Tag
👉 The forward slash / is the character used to indicate an end tag.
This slash comes immediately after the opening < in the closing tag.
🧪 Examples of Start and End Tags
| HTML Element | Start Tag | End Tag |
|---|---|---|
| Paragraph | <p> | </p> |
| Heading | <h1> | </h1> |
| Div | <div> | </div> |
| Span | <span> | </span> |
| Bold | <strong> | </strong> |
✅ Notice how each end tag includes a / after the <.
💡 Self-Closing Tags (No End Tag Needed)
Some elements in HTML are self-closing, meaning they don’t require an end tag.
Examples:
<img src="image.jpg" alt="Image">
<br>
<hr>
<input type="text">
These are known as void elements, and they should not have a closing tag.
⚠️ Avoid writing self-closing tags like
<br/>in HTML5—it’s valid but optional.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Why It’s Wrong |
|---|---|
| Missing end tag | Causes broken layout or styling |
| Using wrong character | <p\> is not a valid end tag |
| Unclosed nested tags | Breaks document structure |
🧠 Summary
| Concept | Character Used | Example |
|---|---|---|
| End tag indicator | / (forward slash) | </div> |
- ✅ Always include end tags unless the element is self-closing
- ✅ Use
/after<to indicate a closing tag - ❌ Don’t confuse with backward slashes
\or typos like<p\>
✅ Final Thoughts
The forward slash (/) is the correct character used to indicate an end tag in HTML. It plays a crucial role in maintaining well-structured, valid, and readable code. Always ensure your elements are properly opened and closed to keep your HTML semantic and error-free.