HTML <span> Tag

Last Updated : 02 May, 2025

The HTML <span> tag is an inline container that is used to group and apply styles or scripts to specific parts of text or elements within a document.

The <span> tag is inline, meaning it doesn't create a new line. It stays within the same line as the text around it.
The <span> tag doesn’t change how the content looks on its own. It's used to apply styles or to control parts of content through JavaScript.

Syntax

<span class="">Some Text</span>

Note: HTML <span> tag supports the Global attribute and Event Attributes.

Examples of HTML <span> Tag

Here are a few examples of the HTML span Tag:

Example 1: Reducing Code and Grouping Styles with <span>

In this example, we use the <span> tag to apply CSS styles directly to specific content, reducing repetitive HTML attributes. This approach ensures cleaner code and a consistent style across elements.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
  <head>
    <title>GeeksforGeeks span tag</title>

    <!-- style for span tag  -->
    <style>
      span {
        color: green;
        text-decoration: underline;
        font-style: italic;
        font-weight: bold;
        font-size: 26px;
      }
    </style>
  </head>

  <body>
    <span> GeeksforGeeks </span><br />
    <span> GeeksforGeeks </span><br />
    <span> GeeksforGeeks </span><br />
  </body>
</html>

Output:

Span_tag_with_CSS_style — Span tag with CSS style

Example 2: Inline Behavior of <span> Elements

In this example, the <span> tag works as an inline element. Each <span> takes only the space required for its content, allowing multiple <span> elements to appear on the same line without affecting the overall layout.

HTML

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>

<head>
    <title>GeeksforGeeks span tag</title>
</head>

<body>

    <!-- span tags with inline style/css  -->
    <span style="background-color:powderblue;">
        GfG
    </span>
    <span style="background-color: lightgray;">
        -Contribute-
    </span>
    <span style="background-color: yellow;">
        Article
    </span>
    <span style="background-color: lightgreen;">
        GCET
    </span>
</body>

</html>

Output:

Span_tag_with_CSS_style

<span> vs <div> tag

Both <span> and <div> are used as containers in HTML, there are key differences between them:

`<span>`	`<div>`
Inline element	Block-level element
For styling or grouping inline content	For grouping block-level content
Does not break the flow of text	Starts on a new line and takes up full width
Styling or scripting small portions of text	Structuring larger sections of content

Best Practices for Using the `<span>` Tag

Avoid Overuse: Don't overuse <span> tags unnecessarily. Only use it when you need to apply specific styles or functionality to small portions of text.
Use Classes for Styling: Prefer using CSS classes over inline styles for better maintainability and cleaner code.
Keep Accessibility in Mind: When using <span>, ensure that it doesn’t negatively affect the accessibility of your content. Add ARIA attributes if necessary for screen readers.
Group Inline Content: Use <span> for grouping small portions of text or inline elements for styling or JavaScript manipulation without disrupting the layout.

Browsers Support
Browsers
<span> tag Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Conclusion

The HTML <span> tag is a versatile inline element used for applying styles or manipulating small sections of content. While it doesn't add any semantic meaning to the content, it plays an essential role in web development by providing hooks for styling and scripting.

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