Optional Closing Tags in HTML

Zemfik · 02-29-2008, 7:59 PM

For as long as I've been validating web pages, I never realized that the closing </head> tag was optional in HTML. I feel as if I've missed the boat at times.

While I'm all for trimming excess code, I just cannot for the life of me strip out closing tags because they are optional in HTML. I'd be concerned that something, somewhere would not parse the document correctly if I removed the closing </head> element.

Are my concerns unfounded?

**MadKad** · 03-05-2008, 10:27 PM

I have always used them, I find that errors could or can be made when browsers are rendering a webpage if they are not used, there are lots of new browsers coming out all the time and some use them and some dont, the ones that dont use the tags it will not affect but it will for the ones that use them so this is why I find it best to use them.

**Whatcha** · 03-07-2008, 11:20 AM

Think it depends on how you look at it, yes the head tag is optional but i see it as. Can be or not be used [optional], but if used must be closed [/head] as will other tags

Anish · 05-04-2008, 5:32 AM

The <head> tags are optional but for better results we can use <head></head> tages. As they can be used to separate the headers from the main file

~~shooter498~~ · 06-03-2008, 12:35 AM

In the future closing tags and head tags will probaly be needed. Just be safe and take the extra couple seconds to put them in!

markstoon · 06-03-2008, 1:02 AM

thanks for that i didn't know how to close tags before

~~shooter498~~ · 06-03-2008, 8:41 PM

Here are just the most basic examples;
 t e x t 
 t e x t 
< f o n t c o l o r = " r e d " > t e x t < / f o n t>

Just take out the spaces, I didnt want the html to work but show you. You should know how to close every tag you learn though!

jsitko · 06-11-2008, 12:59 AM

Why is it that I have trouble with the closing headers on some sites. Some require that I use and on others it does not work unless I use [ b ] . What makes the difference. Be patient with me I am a little new at some of this still.

iamshooter498 · 06-15-2008, 11:04 PM

text is html
[ b ]text[ / b ] is what many forums just use

Does it make more sense to you now? When you code though never use - [ ]

GettingRicher · 06-18-2008, 11:43 PM

My recommendation is to always do it in the formal way

Because you never know when a browser isn't capable of handling code made in a new way.

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