Difference Between <b> and <strong> Tags in HTML

When working with HTML, the two often confused tags are <b>and <strong>. While both appear to make text bold, they serve distinct purposes and convey different meanings. Understanding these differences is essential for writing semantic and accessible HTML. In this article, we’ll consider what each element stands for, and their key characteristics.

Let’s get started,

The Tag

The tag stands for "bold" and makes text visually bold without implying additional importance or emphasis. It is primarily a stylistic element.

Example:

<p>I am <b>bold</b> text.</p>
Output: I am  bold text

Key Characteristics:

Stylistic Use: The <b> tag is used purely for visual presentation.
No Semantic Meaning: It does not indicate that the text is important or emphasized.
Accessibility: Screen readers may not give any special attention to text wrapped in a tag.

The Tag

The tag is used to indicate that the enclosed text is of great importance. It not only makes the text bold but also adds semantic meaning, signaling its importance to browsers and assistive technologies.

Example:

<p>I am  <strong>bold </strong> text.</p>
Output: I am bold text.

Key Characteristics:

Semantic Meaning: The <strong> tag conveys importance or urgency.
Accessibility: Screen readers often emphasize or stress the text inside tags to convey its importance.
Styling: By default, text inside <strong>tags is bold, but this can be overridden with CSS.

When to Use Each Tag

Use <b>: When you want to apply bold styling for purely visual purposes, such as headings, product names, or decorative text.
Use <strong>: When you want to emphasize the importance or critical nature of the text, such as warnings, key instructions, or vital information.

Practical Example

Here is an example that demonstrates the use of both tags in context:

<p>We have two types of notifications:</p>
<ul>
  <li><b>General Updates:</b> These include minor announcements and news.</li>
  <li><strong>Urgent Alerts:</strong> These require immediate attention.</li>
</ul>

Output:

General Updates: These include minor announcements and news.
Urgent Alerts: These require immediate attention.

Conclusion

While both <b> and <strong> make text bold, their usage should be guided by the context. The <b>tag is best for visual emphasis without added significance, while the <strong>tag is ideal for denoting importance or urgency. Using these tags appropriately ensures better semantic structure, accessibility, and readability in your HTML documents.