HTML Images Syntax

In HTML, images are defined with the <img> tag.
The <img> tag is empty, it contains attributes only, and does not have a closing tag.
The src attribute specifies the URL (web address) of the image:
Example:

The alt Attribute

The alt attribute provides an alternate text for an image,
The value of the alt attribute should describe the image:

Note:If a browser cannot find an image, it will display the value of the alt attribute:
Note: The alt attribute is required. A web page will not validate correctly without it.

Image Size - Width and Height

You can use the style attribute to specify the width and height of an image.

The width and height attributes always defines the width and height of the image in pixels.

Width and Height, or Style?

The width, height, and style attributes are valid in HTML5.
However, we suggest using the style attribute. It prevents styles sheets from changing the size of images:
Example:

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<style>
img {
width: 100%; }
</style>
</head>
<body>

<img src="paultutorial.gif" alt="paultutorial Icon" width="128" height="128">
<img src="paultutorial.gif" alt="paultutorial Icon" style="width:128px;height:128px;">

</body>
</html>

Images in Another Folder

If not specified, the browser expects to find the image in the same folder as the web page.
However, it is common to store images in a sub-folder. You must then include the folder name in the src attribute:
Example:

Image as a Link

To use an image as a link, put the <img> tag inside the <a> tag:

Note: border:0; is added to prevent IE9 (and earlier) from displaying a border around the image (when the image is a link).

Image Floating

Use the CSS float property to let the image float to the right or to the left of a text:
Example:

<p><img src="paultutorial.gif" alt="Smiley face" style="float:right;width:42px;height:42px;">
The image will float to the right of the text.</p>

<p><img src="paultutorial.gif" alt="Smiley face" style="float:left;width:42px;height:42px;">
The image will float to the left of the text.</p>

Image Maps

The <map> tag defines an image-map. An image-map is an image with clickable areas.

The name attribute of the <map> tag is associated with the <img>'s usemap attribute and creates a relationship between the image and the map.
The <map> element contains a number of <area> tags, that define the clickable areas in the image-map.

Background Image

To add a background image on an HTML element, use the CSS property background-image:

Example

To add a background image on a web page, specify the background-image property on the BODY element:

<body style="background-image:url('paultutorial.jpg')">

<h2>Background Image</h2>

</body>

Example

To add a background image on a paragraph, specify the background-image property on the P element:

The <picture> Element

HTML5 introduced the <picture> element to add more flexibility when specifying image resources.
The <picture> element contains a number of <source> elements, each referring to different image sources. This way the browser can choose the image that best fits the current view and/or device.
Each <source> element have attributes describing when their image is the most suitable.
The browser will use the first <source> element with matching attribute values, and ignore any following <source> elements.

Summary

Use the HTML <img> element to define an image
Use the HTML src attribute to define the URL of the image
Use the HTML alt attribute to define an alternate text for an image, if it cannot be displayed
Use the HTML width and height attributes to define the size of the image
Use the CSS width and height properties to define the size of the image (alternatively)
Use the CSS float property to let the image float
Use the HTML <map> element to define an image-map
Use the HTML <area> element to define the clickable areas in the image-map
Use the HTML <img>'s element usemap attribute to point to an image-map
Use the HTML <picture> element to show different images for different devices

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