<i>

Definition

The HTML <i> element is a non-semantic inline element that is used to apply italic formatting to the text enclosed within the element. It stands for "italic" and is often used to indicate that a particular word or phrase should be emphasized or highlighted.

It should be noted that the use of the <i> element does not necessarily mean that the enclosed text is of a different type or has a different meaning than the surrounding text. Rather, it simply indicates that the text should be rendered in an italicized font.

It is important to use the <i> element appropriately and not to misuse it for other purposes. For instance, if you want to indicate emphasis, it may be more appropriate to use the <em> element, which is a semantic element that signifies emphasis or importance, rather than the <i> element.

Examples

Here is an example of how the <i> element can be used in HTML code:

<p>This is some <i>italicized text</i> within a paragraph.</p>

When rendered in a web browser, the word "italicized text" within the paragraph would be displayed in an italicized font.

Attributes

This element only includes the global attributes.

Best Practices

• As mentioned earlier, the <i> element is intended for indicating text that should be displayed in an italicized font. Avoid using it for any other purposes, such as for defining variables or highlighting code snippets.
• If you want to indicate emphasis or importance, use the <em> element instead of <i>. This helps to add meaning and context to the content, which is helpful for accessibility and search engine optimization.
• Using too much italicized text can make your content difficult to read and understand. Reserve italics for important phrases or words that need to be emphasized.
• While the <i> element is useful for indicating text that should be italicized, it is better to use CSS for styling purposes. This allows for greater flexibility and consistency across your website.
• Nesting multiple <i> elements can make your code difficult to read and understand. Instead, use CSS to apply different styles to different parts of the text.
• If you want to emphasize text in a different way, consider using other HTML elements such as <strong> or <mark> for added meaning and context.

Accessibility Considerations

• If you want to indicate emphasis or importance, use the <em> element instead of <i>. This helps to add meaning and context to the content, which is helpful for screen readers and other assistive technologies.
• If you must use the <i> element, you can add ARIA (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) attributes to improve accessibility. For example, you can use the aria-label attribute to provide a more descriptive label for the italicized text.
• Don't rely on color alone to convey meaning. Ensure that the italicized text is also distinguishable through other visual cues, such as boldness or underlining.
• Make sure that there is sufficient contrast between the italicized text and the background color. This is important for users with visual impairments or color blindness.
• Test your content with a screen reader to ensure that it is accessible to users who rely on these technologies. Use tools like the WAVE Web Accessibility Evaluation Tool to check for accessibility issues.

Browser Compatibility