Modern web development isn’t just about visual design — it’s about creating websites that are usable, accessible, and interactive for everyone. HTML provides several advanced tags that enhance user experience (UX) and improve accessibility without relying on heavy JavaScript.
1. <details> and <summary>
These tags create a collapsible content section that can be expanded or hidden by the user, perfect for FAQs or extra information.
Example:
<details>
<summary>Read more about HTML5</summary>
<p>HTML5 introduces semantic elements, multimedia support, and improved form controls.</p>
</details>
Benefits:
- Reduces clutter
- Improves mobile readability
- Built-in keyboard accessibility
2. <dialog>
The <dialog> element creates a native modal popup without third-party scripts. You can open or close it using HTML attributes or JavaScript.
Example:
<dialog open>
<p>This is a modal dialog.</p>
<button onclick="this.parentElement.close()">Close</button>
</dialog>
Benefits:
- Native focus trapping
- Screen reader friendly
- Lighter than JS modal libraries
3. <figure> and <figcaption>
These tags help associate images, diagrams, or code snippets with a caption, improving context for all users.
Example:
<figure>
<img src="sunset.jpg" alt="A sunset over the mountains">
<figcaption>Sunset in the Himalayas</figcaption>
</figure>
Benefits:
- Enhances accessibility with captions
- Improves SEO with better content context
4. <output>
The <output> element displays the result of a calculation or user action.
Example:
<form oninput="result.value=parseInt(a.value)+parseInt(b.value)">
<input type="number" id="a" value="5"> +
<input type="number" id="b" value="10"> =
<output name="result">15</output>
</form>
Benefits:
- Semantic way to show results
- Easily accessible for assistive technologies
5. <meter>
Represents a measurement or gauge within a known range (e.g., disk usage, progress).
Example:
<label for="storage">Storage usage:</label>
<meter id="storage" value="0.6" min="0" max="1">60%</meter>
Benefits:
- Great for dashboards
- Clear representation for both visual and screen reader users
Why These Tags Matter
- Accessibility: These tags are keyboard-friendly and work with screen readers by default.
- Performance: They reduce the need for JavaScript, making pages lighter and faster.
- SEO Benefits: Semantic tags help search engines understand your content’s structure.
Best Practices
- Always pair these tags with ARIA attributes if additional accessibility context is needed.
- Use meaningful alt text for images inside
<figure>. - Ensure color contrast is high for meter and output elements.
- Test interactive tags with both mouse and keyboard navigation.
Originally published on CodeUpToday.com