How to Choose the Correct HTML Tag to Make a Text Italic?

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How to Choose the Correct HTML Tag to Make a Text Italic?

In HTML, we have two tags to make a text italicized, which are:

  1. <em>..</em> tag
  2. <i>..</i> tag

Now the question arises which one to use when and what's the main difference between the two? Let us see them in more detail to understand the main difference.

1. <em>..</em> tag

The full form of em in the <em> tag is emphasize. This tag is used to make a text italic when we want to emphasize the meaning of that text.

Example:

Code:

Ouput:

He is the *most* intelligent boy in the class.

2. <i>..</i> tag

This tag is also used to make a text italic but not with the intention of emphasizing it. It is generally used when we want some specific data or a specific word to appear differently than other words to convey its importance.

Example:

Code:

Ouput:

So what's the difference? In terms of text appearance, both of them are the same but the main difference is that both of them convey a different meaning. Let us see some examples for a clear understanding.

Example 1: Making Text Italic Using HTML Tag

Example

Code:

Output:

making italic text using em

Example 2: Making Text Italic Using HTML <i>…</i> tag

Example:

Output:

making italic text using i tag

Example 3: Using Both HTML Tags Simultaneously

Example:

Output:

Using both HTML tags simultaneously

Example 4: Making Text Italic Using CSS font-style Property

We can also use the CSS font-style property to make the text italic.

Example:

Output:

Making Text Italic using CSS font-style Property

Learn more

If you want to learn more about the HTML tags, click here.

If you want to learn more about the CSS font properties, click here

Browser Support

Both of these HTML tags are supported by almost all the browsers out there.

Conclusion

  • In HTML, we have two tags to make the text italic.
  • The <em> tag is used to make a text italic when we want to emphasize the meaning of that text.
  • The <i> tag is generally used when we want some specific data or a specific word to appear differently than other words to convey its importance.
  • Technically, both of these tags have the same italic effect on the specified text.