Inserting images using the img tag

Images are an integral part of web design and can significantly enhance the visual appeal and understanding of a website. In HTML, images can be inserted using the img tag. The img tag is a self-closing tag, which means it does not require a closing tag.

Syntax

The basic syntax to insert an image using the img tag is as follows:

<img src="image-url" alt="alternative-text">

Let's break down the different parts of the syntax:

• src: This attribute specifies the source URL of the image. It can be a local file on your web server or a remote URL. For local files, the path should be relative to the HTML file's location.
• alt: This attribute specifies alternative text that is displayed if the image fails to load. It is also used by screen readers to describe the image to visually impaired users.

Example

Consider the following example, inserting an image called "example.jpg" located in the same folder as the HTML file:

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image">

Adding height and width

You may also want to specify the height and width of the image to control its size on the web page. This can be achieved by using the height and width attributes within the img tag.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" width="300" height="200">

It's important to note that specifying the width and height attributes does not resize the actual image, but rather sets the display size within the browser.

Image alignment

By default, images are displayed inline with the surrounding text. However, you can manipulate the alignment and positioning of the image using CSS. To align an image to the left or right of the text, you can use the float property.

<img src="example.jpg" alt="Example Image" style="float: left;">

Conclusion

Using the img tag is a straightforward way to insert images into your HTML documents. Remember to provide both the src and alt attributes for accessibility purposes and consider adjusting the size and alignment as needed. Images can greatly enrich the user experience, making your website more engaging and visually appealing.