HTML Layout

HTML Layout – Learn to Structure Web Pages with HTML

HTML layout defines the structure of a webpage. It organizes the content and helps users navigate it effectively. By combining HTML elements like <header>, <nav>, <section>, <article>, <footer>, and others, you can create clear and responsive layouts.

Key HTML Layout Elements

Element Description Usage Example
<header> Defines the top section of a webpage (e.g., logo, title, navigation). <header>Website Header</header>
<nav> Defines a navigation bar/menu. <nav>Navigation links</nav>
<section> Defines a thematic grouping of content. <section>Main content</section>
<article> Defines an independent piece of content (e.g., blog post, news). <article>Blog Post</article>
<aside> Defines content aside from the main content (e.g., sidebar). <aside>Sidebar content</aside>
<footer> Defines the footer of a webpage (e.g., copyright, links). <footer>Footer content</footer>
<div> Defines a container for content (used for styling/layout). <div>Generic container</div>
<main> Defines the primary content of the webpage. <main>Main section of the page</main>

Basic HTML Layout Example

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>Basic HTML Layout</title>
</head>
<body>
  <header>
    <h1>My Website</h1>
    <nav>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
        <li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
        <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
      </ul>
    </nav>
  </header>

  <main>
    <section id="home">
      <h2>Welcome to My Website</h2>
      <p>This is the main content area.</p>
    </section>

    <aside>
      <h3>Related Links</h3>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#link1">Link 1</a></li>
        <li><a href="#link2">Link 2</a></li>
      </ul>
    </aside>

    <section id="about">
      <h2>About Us</h2>
      <p>Information about the website.</p>
    </section>
  </main>

  <footer>
    <p>© 2025 My Website. All rights reserved.</p>
  </footer>
</body>
</html>

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Responsive Layout with CSS

A good layout should be responsive, adapting to different screen sizes.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html lang="en">
<head>
  <meta charset="UTF-8">
  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0">
  <title>Responsive HTML Layout</title>
  <style>
    body {
      margin: 0;
      font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
    }
    header {
      background: #007acc;
      color: white;
      padding: 10px;
      text-align: center;
    }
    nav ul {
      display: flex;
      justify-content: center;
      list-style-type: none;
      padding: 0;
    }
    nav ul li {
      margin: 0 15px;
    }
    nav ul li a {
      color: white;
      text-decoration: none;
    }
    main {
      display: flex;
      flex-wrap: wrap;
      padding: 20px;
    }
    section {
      flex: 2;
      margin: 10px;
      padding: 20px;
      background: #f9f9f9;
    }
    aside {
      flex: 1;
      margin: 10px;
      padding: 20px;
      background: #f0f0f0;
    }
    footer {
      background: #333;
      color: white;
      text-align: center;
      padding: 10px;
    }
    @media (max-width: 600px) {
      main {
        flex-direction: column;
      }
      aside {
        order: -1;
      }
    }
  </style>
</head>
<body>
  <header>
    <h1>Responsive Website</h1>
    <nav>
      <ul>
        <li><a href="#home">Home</a></li>
        <li><a href="#about">About</a></li>
        <li><a href="#contact">Contact</a></li>
      </ul>
    </nav>
  </header>

  <main>
    <section id="home">
      <h2>Welcome</h2>
      <p>This section adjusts based on screen size.</p>
    </section>
    <aside>
      <h3>Sidebar</h3>
      <p>Additional information goes here.</p>
    </aside>
    <section id="about">
      <h2>About</h2>
      <p>This section also adapts responsively.</p>
    </section>
  </main>

  <footer>
    <p>© 2025 Responsive Website. All rights reserved.</p>
  </footer>
</body>
</html>

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Best Practices for Layout Design

  1. Use Semantic Tags: Prefer <header>, <main>, <section>, etc., over <div> for clarity.
  2. Responsive Design: Use CSS media queries to ensure your layout looks good on all devices.
  3. Accessibility: Include proper ARIA roles and labels for better usability.
  4. Consistent Structure: Keep navigation, headers, and footers consistent across all pages.

A well-structured layout improves both usability and aesthetics. By using semantic HTML and applying CSS for responsiveness, you can create professional and functional designs.