<aside> Tag in HTML

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Topics Covered

Overview

<aside> tag displays additional information apart from the primary content. The content within the <aside> tag isn't a part of the primary content but is still related to it. In other words, it is used in order to keep the contextual flow of the primary content undisturbed.

Syntax

The <aside> tag can contain paragraphs and headings as additional content.

Attributes

The <aside> tag supports both global as well as event attributes.

What is the <aside> Tag Used for?

You must have gone through any story or incident in a book where it discusses the main theme but there might be some readers unaware of any term being used in the main content. So, it's better to highlight it in another container, so that the flow of original content remains undisturbed but everyone still has the sophistication to perceive things easily.

The <aside> tag is used for the same purpose. <aside> tag is used when we need to explain something related to the main context but is usually out of the flow of the original content.

Therefore, the idea of adapting the same concept for a website came up and this is how the <aside> got its identity. Now, apart from the primary content, you have an area in the viewport where you can precisely explain a specific part of the content, which is related to the primary content but is still different from the intent of the same.

Let's just see where the <aside> element is placed in semantic HTML.

Aside Tag In HTML 1

But wait! Why Is There A Need For An <aside> Tag When We Already Have A <div> Tag In HTML? Above all, they both serve the same purpose.

The reason for the same has been elucidated in the semantic HTML. As far as behavior is concerned, both <aside> as well <div> tags are used to create a section of a webpage. However, the <div> tag creates a section of the web page but the <aside> tag not only creates a section but comprises the content that is related to the primary content of the webpage.

Note: Always remember that the <aside> tag will not be rendered as a special element in HTML, rather it was created to make it easier to separate the content that, despite being related to the main content, is still not a part of it. But yes, we can use CSS to style the <aside> element so that the reader can easily recognize it.

Examples

Basic Example of HTML <aside> Tag

Output Aside Tag In HTML 2

Style in HTML <aside> Tag

Output Aside Tag In HTML 3

Use <aside> to Mark up a Paragraph in an Article

Output Aside Tag In HTML 4

Browser Support

The <aside> tag is supported in the following browsers:

  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Opera
  • Internet Explorer
  • <header> tag
  • <nav> tag
  • <article> tag
  • <section> tag
  • <footer> tag

Conclusion

  • <aside> tag is used to bring more clarity between the main content and the additional (subordinate) content.
  • The content enclosed within the <aside> tag might not be a part of the main content, but is still related and provides meaning to the main content.
  • The <aside> element isn't rendered as a special element but differentiates itself from a <aside> element because it consists of the content that is related to the main content.