Using HTML5's <header> and <footer> elements can improve the clarity and accessibility of web page structure. <header> is usually located at the top of a page or block, and contains introductory content such as site titles, navigation menus or banners; <footer> is often located at the bottom, placing copyright information, contact information or secondary navigation links. Both can be used multiple times and content relevance is required. They support CSS style settings such as background color, margins, and text alignment to enhance visual distinction. However, not all pages must contain these two elements. Simple pages can be omitted according to actual needs, while standard web pages are recommended to improve user experience and SEO results.
When you're building a webpage with HTML5, using the right semantic elements make your code clearer and more accessible. Two of the most useful tags for structuring your page are <header></header>
and <footer></footer>
. These aren't just for looks — they help browsers, screen readers, and search engines understand what part of the page they're dealing with.

What goes inside a <header></header>
?
A <header></header>
typically sits at the top of a page or section and contains introduction content. It's common to include things like:
- The site logo or title
- Navigation menus
- A banner image or heading
You can use it at the top of the whole page, or even inside individual sections or articles. Just keep in mind that each <header></header>
should be relevant to the section it belongs to.

For example:
<header> <h1>My Website</h1> <nav> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/about">About</a></li> </ul> </nav> </header>
This structure is clean and tells both users and tools that this area is the top part of your page.

What belongs in a <footer>
?
The <footer>
usually appears at the bottom of a page or section, and it often includes:
- Copyright info
- Contact details
- Social media links
- Secondary navigation
Like <header>
, a <footer>
can be used more than once — for example, at the bottom of a blog post or at the end of the entire website.
Here's a basic example:
<footer> <p>© 2025 My Website. All rights reserved.</p> <ul> <li><a href="/contact">Contact</a></li> <li><a href="/privacy">Privacy Policy</a></li> </ul> </footer>
Just make sure not to put unrelated stuff in there. Stick to closing information or links that help wrap up the page.
Can I style them with CSS?
Yes, absolutely. Since <header>
and <footer>
are block-level elements, you can style them just like any other <div>
. For instance, you might want to center the text in your footer or give your header a background color.
Some common styling tips:
- Use
margin: 0 auto
to center align your header or footer content - Add padding so text doesn't stick to the edge
- Set background colors or borders to visually separate these sections
Example:
header { background-color: #f5f5f5; padding: 20px; text-align: center; } footer { font-size: 0.9em; color: #666; padding: 15px; }
These styles help make those areas stand out without being too flashy.
Do I need both on every page?
Not necessary. Some pages, especially simple ones like a thank-you screen or an error page, might not need a full header or footer. But for most standard web pages — especially blogs, business sites, or portfolios — including both helps with usability and SEO.
If you're leaving one out, ask yourself: does the user know where they are and how to get around? If not, consider adding at least a basic version.
That's the basics of using <header></header>
and <footer></footer>
in HTML5. They're straightforward but powerful tools for organizing your content and making your site easier to navigate.
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