Semantic HTML elements are those that provide meaning to the content they enclose, helping both developers and browsers understand the structure and purpose of a web page. They are important for accessibility, search engine optimization (SEO), and overall code readability. Here are some commonly used semantic HTML elements:
1. `<header>`: Represents introductory content, typically containing navigation links, site logo, and/or site search.
2. `<nav>`: Defines a section of navigation links.
3. `<main>`: Indicates the main content of the document, excluding headers, footers, and sidebars.
4. `<article>`: Represents an independent piece of content, such as a blog post, forum post, or news article.
5. `<section>`: Represents a thematic grouping of content, typically with a heading.
6. `<aside>`: Represents content tangentially related to the content around it, often used for sidebars or callouts.
7. `<footer>`: Defines a footer for a document or section, typically containing copyright information, contact details, or related links.
8. `<figure>` and `<figcaption>`: `<figure>` is used to encapsulate media, such as images or videos, along with their captions provided by `<figcaption>`.
9. `<details>` and `<summary>`: `<details>` defines additional information that can be toggled open or closed, and `<summary>` provides a summary or title for the details element.
10. `<time>`: Represents a specific point in time or a range of time, such as dates, times, or durations.
Using these semantic elements not only improves the structure and semantics of your HTML document but also enhances accessibility by providing better context to assistive technologies like screen readers. Additionally, search engines may better understand the content and improve your site’s SEO.
