A Complete Guide - HTML Image Tag and Attributes

Last Updated: 03 Jul, 2025

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HTML Image Tag and Attributes: A Detailed Guide

Introduction to the `<img>` Tag

The <img> tag is a self-closing HTML tag used to insert images into web pages. Here's a basic example of how an image tag is used:

<img src="image.jpg" alt="Description of the image">

In the above example, src specifies the path to the image file, and alt provides a textual description that appears when the image cannot be displayed.

Essential Attributes of the `<img>` Tag

src (Source): The src attribute is required and specifies the path to the image file. It can be an absolute URL to an external image, or a relative URL to a local file.
```
<img src="/images/photo.jpg" alt="Sunset">
<img src=" alt="Sunset">
```
alt (Alternative Text): The alt attribute provides alternative text if the image cannot be displayed. It's important for accessibility, as screen readers read this text to visually impaired users.
```
<img src="logo.png" alt="Company Logo">
```
width and height: These attributes specify the width and height of the image in pixels, ensuring the image is displayed at the correct size.
```
<img src="photo.jpg" alt="Vegetables" width="500" height="300">
```
Specifying both dimensions prevents a browser from reflowing the page as the image loads, improving loading performance.
title: The title attribute adds extra information about the image when the user hovers over it, often shown as a tooltip.
```
<img src="recipe.png" alt="Recipe" title="Healthy Vegan Recipe">
```
loading: This attribute controls the loading behavior of the image. The lazy value delays loading the image until it is about to enter the viewport, improving performance by reducing initial load times.
```
<img src="large-image.jpg" alt="Large Image" loading="lazy">
```
decoding: The decoding attribute indicates how the browser should decode the image as it is downloaded. The async value decodes the image asynchronously, and sync decodes it synchronously.
```
<img src="background.jpg" alt="Background" decoding="async">
```
border: Although less commonly used, the border attribute specifies the width of the border around the image in pixels.
```
<img src="photo.jpg" alt="Beach" border="3">
```

usemap: The usemap attribute is used to define an image as a clickable map. It links the image to a <map> element with an id matching the usemap value.

<img src="world-map.jpg" alt="World Map" usemap="#world">
<map name="world">
    <area shape="rect" coords="0,0,200,200" href="north-america.html" alt="North America">
</map>

ismap: The ismap attribute indicates that the image is a server-side image map. Users can click directly on the image, and the coordinates of the click are sent to the server.
```
<img src="navigation.jpg" alt="Navigation Map" ismap>
```
crossorigin: This attribute specifies how the element handles cross-origin requests for the image resource. It is essential when using images in WebGL and canvas contexts.
```
<img src=" alt="Example Image" crossorigin="anonymous">
```

Best Practices for Using the `<img>` Tag

Use Descriptive Filenames: Choose meaningful filenames that describe the image content for better SEO and accessibility.
Provide Alt Text: Always include descriptive alt text for search engine optimization and accessibility.
Optimize Image Size: Reduce image file size using compression tools to improve page load speed.
Use Appropriate Dimensions: Set correct width and height to maintain aspect ratio and prevent layout shifts.
Employ Lazy Loading: Use the loading="lazy" attribute for non-critical images to enhance user experience.
Responsive Images: Use CSS or the srcset attribute to serve different image sizes based on the device's screen resolution.

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Step-by-Step Guide: How to Implement HTML Image Tag and Attributes

HTML `<img>` Tag

The <img> tag is used to display images in an HTML webpage. The src attribute specifies the path to the image file.

Basic Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Basic Image Example</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Displaying an Image with HTML</h1>
    <img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image">
</body>
</html>

Explanation:

src="example.jpg": Specifies the path to the image file. In this case, it's an image named example.jpg in the same directory.
alt="Example Image": Provides alternative text for the image. This text is displayed if the image cannot be loaded or by screen readers for visually impaired users.

HTML `<img>` Tag Attributes

Let’s explore some commonly used attributes of the <img> tag.

`src` Attribute

Specifies the image file source path. (Mandatory Attribute)

<img src="logo.png" alt="Company Logo">

`alt` Attribute

Provides alternative text for the image.

<img src="logo.png" alt="Company Logo">

`width` and `height` Attributes

Define the width and height of the image in pixels.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" width="300" height="200">

`title` Attribute

Adding a tooltip with additional information about the image.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" title="This is an example image">

`style` Attribute

Allows inline CSS styling.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" style="border: 1px solid black;">

`loading` Attribute

Defines how the image should be loaded when the page loads.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" loading="lazy">

lazy: Image is loaded when it reaches a calculated distance from the viewport.
eager: Image is loaded immediately.

Complete Example with Multiple Attributes

Here’s an example that combines several attributes to provide a comprehensive understanding:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
    <title>Image Tag Attributes Example</title>
</head>
<body>
    <h1>Example of HTML Image Tag with Attributes</h1>
    <p>Here is an image with several attributes set:</p>
    <img src="photo.jpg" alt="Beach Photo" width="500" height="300" title="Sunset at the beach" style="border: 2px dashed red;" loading="lazy">

    <!-- Accessible screenshot -->
    <img src="photo-accessible.jpg" alt="Accessible version of the beach photo" title="Screen reader friendly version" aria-hidden="true">
</body>
</html>

Explanation:

src="photo.jpg": Specifies the path to the image file.
alt="Beach Photo": Provides alternative text for the image.
width="500" height="300": Sets the dimensions of the image.
title="Sunset at the beach": Adds tooltip text for additional information.
style="border: 2px dashed red;": Applies inline CSS to add a dashed red border around the image.
loading="lazy": The image is loaded when it is near the viewport.
<img src="photo-accessible.jpg" alt="Accessible version of the beach photo" title="Screen reader friendly version" aria-hidden="true">: This image is visually hidden but still accessible to screen readers.

A Complete Guide - HTML Image Tag and Attributes

HTML Image Tag and Attributes: A Detailed Guide

Introduction to the <img> Tag

Essential Attributes of the <img> Tag

Best Practices for Using the <img> Tag

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HTML <img> Tag

HTML <img> Tag Attributes

src Attribute

alt Attribute

width and height Attributes

title Attribute

style Attribute

loading Attribute