Difference Between Div and Span in HTML: Know Their Use Cases, Display Behaviour and More!

HTML is the foundational language used to create and structure web pages. When building web pages with HTML, understanding its components and functions is important to creating a well-structured layout. Two of the most commonly used components in HTML are <div> and <span> tags. 

While both are essential for organising and styling content, they serve different purposes in web development. The <div> tag is used for block-level content, while the <span> tag is used for inline content. Understanding the difference between div and span in HTML can improve the structure and flexibility of your web design. 

Read the article to learn more about HTML span vs div, practical examples of using them and more.

What is HTML?

HTML (HyperText Markup Language) is the fundamental language used to create and structure content on the web. It consists of a series of tags that define different elements on a webpage, such as headings, paragraphs, images, links, and more. These tags tell the web browser how to display content in a readable and organised way.

HTML is essential for building the basic framework of a webpage, ensuring that text and multimedia elements are properly arranged and accessible. It works alongside CSS for styling and JavaScript for interactivity, creating functional and engaging websites.

What is a <div> in HTML?

A <div> in HTML is a container element used to organise other HTML elements together. It stands for “division” and is often used to structure a webpage by dividing content into sections or blocks. The <div> tag does not add any style or layout by itself; instead, it acts as a wrapper for applying styles with CSS or adding interactivity with JavaScript.

Since it is a block-level element, it takes up the full width available, meaning it starts on a new line and can contain other block-level or inline elements. Developers use <div> tags to create organised and easily manageable sections, making it easier to design and manipulate a webpage’s structure.

Example:
<div>

<h1>Welcome</h1>

<p>This is a block-level section.</p>

</div>

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What is a <span> in HTML?

In HTML, the <span> tag is an inline element used to organise text or other inline elements within a document. Unlike the <div> tag, which is a block-level element, a <span> does not create a new line. It simply applies styles or functionality to a small section of content within a block. 

The <span> tag is often used for styling parts of a text, like changing the colour of a word or applying specific font styles without affecting the layout of the rest of the content. Understanding the difference between div and span in HTML is important, as it helps in choosing the right tag for organising and styling content based on whether you need block-level or inline behaviour.

Example:
<p>This is a <span style=”color: red;”>highlighted</span> word.</p>

Difference Between Div and Span in HTML

When working with HTML, it is important to understand how different tags affect the structure and layout of your content. Two commonly used tags are <div> and <span>. While both serve as containers, they have distinct purposes and behaviours. Learn more about the differences between div and span in HTML below:

Aspect	Div	Span
Element Type	<div> is a block-level element	<span> is an inline element
Display Behavior	<div> creates a new line before and after it	<span> does not affect the layout and stays within the same line
Use Case	<div> is used to organise larger sections of content	<span> is used for styling smaller parts of text
Width	A <div> takes up the full width of its container	A <span> only takes up as much width as its content
Styling	<div> is used for structural changes	<span> is used for styling inline content
Positioning	<div> can be positioned and styled more freely in relation to other elements	<span> is used for smaller, localised styling without affecting other elements

When to Use <div> Element? 

After understanding the difference between div and span in HTML, you can choose the suitable HTML element for structuring content. The <div> tag is versatile and plays a significant role in organising large sections of a webpage. Whether you are building layouts or dividing content into distinct blocks, knowing when to use <div> ensures a clear and manageable structure, especially when working with CSS frameworks. Let us know when to use <div> below:

• For grouping large sections of content
• For creating layout containers on web pages
• For creating structured sections like articles or blog posts
• When applying CSS styles to a group of elements
• For building responsive layouts with CSS frameworks
• For adding interactivity with JavaScript (e.g., modals, dropdowns)

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When to Use <span> Element?

Once you understand the difference between div and span in HTML, you can easily determine when to use them. Span doesn’t cause line breaks, which makes it ideal for applying styles or attributes to specific parts of text. Let us know when to use <span> below:

• For styling or manipulating small sections of text within a block.
• While applying CSS styles to a specific part of the content without affecting the whole block.
• For inline changes like bolding or italicising the specific text.
• For wrapping text that requires event handling, like tooltips or clicks.
• While adding classes or IDs to a small part of texts.

Practical Examples of using <div> and <span>

Understanding the difference between div and span in HTML can make your layout and style more manageable by helping you choose the correct element for block-level and inline content. These two elements serve different purposes but are both essential for structuring and styling content. Let us look at some practical examples of how and when to use <div> and <span> for better web design.

Using <div> for Layout

The <div> tag is used for organising larger sections of a webpage. In the example:

<div class=”header”>

<h1>Welcome to My Website</h1>

</div>

<div class=”content”>

<p>This is the main content section.</p>

</div>

• The first <div> with the class header wraps the website’s main title (<h1>).
• The second <div> with the class content groups the main body text (<p>).
• Using <div> helps you apply specific styles to entire sections (like the header and content) or manipulate them using CSS.

Using <span> for Inline Styling

The <span> tag is used for styling small parts of text within a block. For example:

<p>Our <span style=”font-weight: bold;”>exclusive offers</span> are available now!</p>

• Here, the word “exclusive offers” is wrapped with a <span> tag.
• The <span> tag doesn’t change the layout or structure of the paragraph; it only makes the word inside it bold by applying inline CSS (font-weight: bold;).
• This is perfect for making small inline changes without affecting the entire paragraph.

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In conclusion, using the <div> and <span> tags appropriately will streamline your web design process. The <div> tag is used for block-level content, while <span> is ideal for inline elements. Understanding the difference between div and span in HTML is essential for creating well-structured and functional web pages. To improve your skills further, you can enrol in Digital Regenesys’s UI/UX and Graphic Design Course with GenAI. This course offers several benefits that will help you upskill your knowledge and build a career in the design sector. Enrol in the course today and improve your expertise in web design and development for a successful career!

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